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MILITARY JOURNAL, 



DURING- THE 



AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 

FROM 17 75 TO 17 8 3; 



DESCRIBING 



WITH NUMEROUS HISTORICAL FACTS AND ANECDOTES. 

TO WHICH IS ADDED, 

AN APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SEVERAL GENERAL OFFICERS. 



BY JAMES THACHER, M. D. 

LATE SURGEON IN THE AMERICAN ARMY. 



"As Americans, -we liail ■wit'h delight any attempt to rescue from 
olDlivion the words or actions of those "whose names "we have been 
taught to revere." 



HARTFORD: 

SILAS ANDRUS & SON, 
1854. 






'SWViniAV 'S 'M. iatidBxaxIix 'auo^siuiy "O /A 

SSSM KV3XS 'KOS -^ SaHQNV SV7IS JO AaaMOOJ 






DEDICATION. 



TO HIS EX&ELLENCY JOHN BROOKS, ESQUIRE, 

GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

// is with peculiar felicity that your Excellency is recognized as one 
among the few survivors of that heroic band who have been crowned 
with military honors for glorious achievements, at an era when our 
republic was in its infancy, and in peril for its existence. 

This production, though aspiring not to the dignified title of history, 
may revive in your recollection scenes and events of the deepest interest, 
in which you nobly participated, and may afford to the rising generation 
lessons of instruction and motives for gratitude to their progenitors, when 
we shall be at rest. 

Long may those public virtues and that philanthropy which are so 
eminently your characteristics, continue to cement the love and gratitude 
of the people, and may the benedictions of Heaven be your final reward .' 

With sentiments of profound veneration for the patriotic warrior and 
statesman, this work is dedicated, by 

Your Excellency's obedient and very humble servant, 

JAMES THACHER. 
Plymouth, January let, 1823. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is through your earnest solicitations, my dear friends, that I commit 
to public inspection the crude fragments recorded in my Military Journal, 
kept during the American Revolutionary War. The subordinate station 
which I sustained did not permit access to the great source from which all 
important events derived their origin; nor was I made acquainted with the 
views and motives of action. The transactions and occurrences which I 
shall relate, though of minor import, and penned for temporary amusement, 
are nevertheless of a nature too deeply interesting to be consigned to obliv- 
ion. No circumstance pertaining to our country's emancipation, but should 
be embalmed in the memory of our children, and transmitted to the latest 
posterity, as among the most interesting transactions recorded in the annals 
of man. When we contemplate the vastly-extended consequences of our 
revolution, it will be conceded that every incident respecting its rise and 
progress, and the renowned patriots and heroes by whom it was achieved, 
is well worthy of perpetual remembrance. With these are associated the 
primary principles of the rights of man, which so successfully prevailed 
at the period of our country's infancy. Those phinciples, which are the 
great spring of action in the bosom of the honest patriot, spurn the power 
and paralyze the hearts of tyrants. The contents of these sheets refer more 
to details of military manoeuvres and the internal police of camps, than to 
projects and ev.ents which decide the fate of nations : they may, however, 
afford amusement to the inquisitive mind, and, to the rising generation, 
precepts not altogether destitute of importance and useful instruction. 
They will disclose some interesting particulars, not generally known, and 
may serve to augment the stock of information developing the fatal policy 
of the British government, as displayed on the theatre of her American 
colonies. This production may, moreover, subserve the purpose of an 
epitome of the history of the revolutionary contest, and abridge in some 
measure the labor of the youthful mind in the study of the more elaborate 
and technical histories of that ever-memorable epoch. With this view, I 
have prefixed a short sketch of interesting transactions prior to the actual 
commencement of hostilities. "History," says a late elegant writer, "pre- 
sents no struggle for liberty which has in it more of the moral sublime 
than that of the American revolution. It has been of late years too much 
forgotten in the sharp contentions of party ; and he who endeavors to with- 
draw the public mind from these debasing conflicts, and to fix it on the 
grandeur of that epoch, which, magnificent in itself, begins now to wear 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

the solemn livery of antiquity, as it is viewed through the deepening- twi- 
light of almost half a century, certainly performs a meritorious service, and 
can scarcely need a justification."* 

It may be deemed reproachful to our country that nearly half a century 
has elapsed since the American colonies were emancipated from British 
thraldom, and that we are yet unfurnished with proper biographical memoirs 
of the renowned patriots and heroes whose unparalleled efforts, under Prov- 
idence, achieved the inestimable blessings of liberty and freedom. No 
characters, assuredly, are more worthy to excite the curiosity and gratitude 
of posterity than those who contributed so largely to the establishment of 
our invaluable civil and religious privileges under a republican constitu- 
tion. The immortal chieftain, indeed, and his illustrious compeer. General 
Gheene, can receive no additional memorials from any labors in my power 
to bestow. I might incur the imputation of arrogance were I to imagine 
myself competent to the duty of portraying in a just light the characters of 
those whose revered names are introduced into the appendix of this work. 
I can only claim the merit of having exerted my best efforts to procure doc- 
uments and assistance, and to illustrate their qualities under the guidance 
of the legitimate principles of impartiality and justice. Should posterity 
inquire why their ancestors, destitute of military education or experience, 
abandoned their peaceful abodes to encounter the perils of uncertain war- 
fare, let them be told it was not to execute the mandates of a tyrant in 
subjugating their fellow-men, but it was in defence of our most precious 
rights and privileges ; it was a display of that genuine patriotism and true 
glory which it is ever most honorable to venerate and cherish. While their 
own hearts glow with patriotic fervor, let them reflect that true glory con- 
sists in the love of peace and the culture of benevolence and good-will to 
men. Let their souls hold in detestation every species of warfare, save that 
which may secure and defend the invaluable heritage which their fathers 
have bequeathed them, and for which their memories should be embalmed 
with the incense of gratitude. 

N. B. Should the reader conceive that, in detailing the ravages and 
aggressions of the British army, I have indulged in language of asperity, 
inconsistent with that urbanity and good-fellowship which it is desirable 
should be cultivated between the two nations at the present day, it may be 
observed that this is but a feeble specimen of the belligerent language 
employed by writers at that period when the wrathful passions were recip- 
rocally excited and continually aggravated. 

* Silliman's Tour from Hartford to Quebec, 1820. 



MILITARY JOURNAL. -1775. 



January. — At the precise period when my medical 
studies and education are completed, under the patronage 
of Dr. Abner Hersey of Barnstable, and I am contem- 
plating the commencement of a new career in life, I find 
our country about to be involved in all the horrors of a i^ 
civil war. A series of arbitrary and oppressive measures, 
on the part of the mother-country, has long been advancing 
to that awful crisis, when an appeal to the power of the 
sword becomes inevitable. The event of this mighty 
struggle is to decide an affair of infinite magnitude, not 
merely as it respects the present generation, but as it will 
affect the welfare and happiness of unborn millions. The 
great fundamental principle, in the present controversy, 
is the right which is claimed by the Parliament of Great 
Britain, to exercise dominion, as the only supreme and 
uncontrollable legislative power over all the American 
Colonies. "Can they make laws to bind the colonies in 
all cases whatever ; levy taxes on them without their con- 
sent; dispose of the revenues, thus raised, without their 
control; multiply officers at pleasure, and assign them 
fees, to be paid without, nay, contrary to and in direct 
violation of acts of our provincial assemblies, and approved 
by the crown? Can they enlarge the power of admiralty 
courts; divert the usual channels of justice; deprive the 
colonists of trial by a jury of their countrymen; in short, 
break down the barriers which their forefathers have 
erected against arbitrary power, and enforce their edicts 
by fleets and armies?" Then indeed are we reduced to a 
state of abject slavery; and all resistance to acts of Par- 
liament may justly be called by the name of treason and 
rebellion. "The people of these colonies consider them- 
selves as British subjects, entitled to all the rights and 
privileges of Freemen. It is inseparably essential to the 



8 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775 

freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of English- 
men, that no taxes be imposed on them but with their 
own consent, given personally or by their representatives. 
From their local circumstances, the colonies cannot be 
represented in the house of commons of Great Britain; 
the only representatives of the people of the colonies are 
the persons chosen therein by themselves; and no taxes 
ever can be constitutionally imposed on them, but by their 
respective legislatures." All acts of Parliament therefore, 
for raising a revenue in America, are considered as de- 
priving us of our property, without our consent, and con- 
sequently as a palpable infringement of our ancient rights 
and privileges. They are unconstitutional and arbitrary 
laws, subversive of the liberties and privileges secured to 
us by our royal charters. It is not consistent with the 
principles which actuate the American people, ever tamely 
to submit to such a degrading S3^stem of government ; not, 
however, from a want of loyalty to our king, nor from an 
undue impatience of subordination or legal restraint; for 
in a quiet submission and demeanor to constitutional au- 
thority, and in zeal and attachment to our king, we dare 
to vie with any of our fellow-subjects of Great Britain; 
but it is an innate love of liberty, and our just rights, that 
impels us to the arduous struggle. In r^o country, it is 
asserted, is the love of liberty more deeply rooted, or the 
knowledge of the rights inherent to freemen more gener- 
ally diffused, or better understood, than among the British 
American Colonies. Our religious and political privileges 
are derived from our virtuous fathers; they were inhaled 
with our earliest breath; and are, and will I trust ever 
be, implanted and cherished in the bosom of the present 
and future generations. These are the prevalent senti- 
ments in New England at this eventful crisis, and all the 
other provinces, Georgia excepted, are known to be in 
unison with us in the resolution, to oppose with all our 
jpower every violation of our just rights and privileges. 
vVe are not, however, authorized, even in the most glorious 
of causes, to expect a perfect unanimity among a people. 
Numerous are the springs of men's actions ; and diversity 
of sentiment and views are characteristic of human nature. 
Accordingly we find a small minority in our country who 
are inimical to the common cause, and who are continually 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1775. 9 

opposing every proceeding of the majority. These people 
are doubtless actuated by various motives; a few, com- 
paratively, influenced by principle; some by a spirit of 
timidity, or the absurd doctrine of passive obedience and 
non-resistance ; others, from the strength of their passions, 
and weakness of judgment, are biassed and led astray by 
designing demagogues. There are, however, those who 
are vile enough to prostrate all honor and principle with 
the sordid view of office and preferment: 

" For 'tis their duty, all the learned think, 
T' espouse that cause by which they eat and drink." 

Those disaffected individuals, who still adhere to the 
royal cause, have received the epithet of Tories; the very 
name is extremely abhorrent to the people in general, and 
they are subjected to such rigorous discipline as to prevent 
them from doing injury to the great cause of our country. 
The great majority of the people are happily united in 
the resolution to oppose, to the uttermost, the wicked 
attempts of the English cabinet. This class of people have 
assumed the appellation of Whigs; but by our enemies 
are stigmatized by the name of Rebels. If, as we affirm, 
the British government have ceased to rule agreeably to 
the principles of our constitution, and our royal charter, 
and have assumed to themselves the high prerogative of 
despotic sway, then are we absolved from our allegiance 
and duties as British subjects. A contract abrogated by 
one party, can no longer be binding on the other. If we 
are menaced with royal power and authority, we justify 
ourselves in defending our indefeasible rights against des- 
potism and tyrannical oppression. Cowards alone will 
bend to unjust power, and slaves and sycophants only 
will yield both soul and body to the disposal of tyrannical 
masters. Should our effiarts, under God, be crowned with 
the desired success, we shall obtain the honor of rescuing 
ourselves and posterity from vassalage; but if compelled 
to succumb under royal power, then will ours be the 
rebel's fate, the scaffiDld and the gibbet will be glutted with 
their devoted victims. We cannot justly be accused of a 
rash precipitance of proceeding ; for petitions and memo- 
rials, couched in the most loyal and humble language, have 
been at various periods presented to our royal sovereign, 



10 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

and his parliament, praying for a redress of grievances ; 
but they are deaf to all our complaints and supplications, 
and the coercive arm of power is suspended over us, 
threatening implacable vengeance. 

Among the odious acts of the British Parliament they 
passed one which imposed a duty on the article of tea, and 
several cargoes of this commodity were shipped to America 
to obtain the duty and a market. On the arrival of the 
tea ships at Boston great indignation was excited among 
the people; town meetings were called to devise some 
legal measures to prohibit the landing of the odious article. 
It was universally understood that if the tea was once 
landed, and stored, it would by some means come to a 
market, and the duty to the government be secured. In 
order to defeat this object a number of persons in disguise 
entered the ships at the wharves, broke open three hun- 
dred and forty-two chests of tea, and discharged their con- 
tents into the water at the dock. This was on the 16th 
December, 1773. When intelligence of this summary 
proceeding reached England, it was condemned by the 
government as enormously criminal. They menaced our 
province with the most exemplary vengeance, and Parlia- 
ment soon passed the Boston Vindictive Port Bill as a part 
of their coercive system, so that merely the name of tea 
is now associated with ministerial grievances, and tea 
drinking is almost tantamount to an open avowal of tory- 
ism. Those who are anxious to avoid the odious epithet 
of enemies to their country, strictly prohibit the use of tea 
in their families, and the most squeamish ladies are com- 
pelled to have recourse to substitutes, or secretly steal 
indulgence in their favorite East India beverage. 

March.- — For the purpose of enforcing submission to the 
cruel mandates of the royal government, a reinforcement 
of the British army has arrived at Boston; and Greneral 
Gage is appointed Governor and Commander in Chief. 
An armed fleet also occupies the harbor; and the whole 
port is closed against all but British vessels. In short, 
the horrors of civil war seem stalking, with rapid strides, 
towards our devoted country. The people have resorted 
to the expedient of abolishing all the courts of justice 
under the new regulations. In our shire towns the popu- 
lace have collected in sufficient numbers to bar the doors 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. H 

of tlie court houses, and prohibit the entrance of judges 
and officers; the jurors are so intimidated, or zealous in 
the good cause, that in general they refuse to take the oath, 
or to act in any manner under the new modification of 
government; and the clerks of courts, who have issued 
warrants by which the jurors are summoned, have in many 
instances been compelled to acknowledge their contrition, 
and to publish in the newspapers, a full recantation. At 
the regular term of the Court of Common Pleas at Barn- 
stable in September last, I witnessed the following prompt 
procedure. A body of about twelve hundred men assem- 
bled and obstructed the passage to the court-Jiouse door. 
The leader of this assemblage was Dr. Nathaniel Freeman, 
a bold son of liberty, of Sandwich. Colonel James Otis, 
the chief justice of the court, preceded by the sheriff, 
approached; and the venerable chief justice demanded 
admission. Dr. Freeman replied that it was the intention 
of the people to prevent the court's being opened to exer- 
cise those unconstitutional powers with which they are 
invested by Parliament. The chief justice, in his majes- 
ty's name, commanded them to disperse, and permit the 
court to enter and proceed to business. But his majesty's 
name had lost its power; it can have no charms with the 
sons of liberty. The venerable judge then said he had 
acquitted himself of his duty, and retired. This proceed- 
ing had been discussed and concerted prior to the court 
term; and Colonel Otis himself, a stanch whig, wste, it is 
believed, not only apprized of, but actually acquiesced in, 
this bold measure. This excellent man is now advanced 
to about seventy-four years in life; he is considered as 
possessing sound sense and good judgment; and as being 
of the purest integrity. He has been, for many years, the 
leading law character in the Old Colony, and a member 
of his majesty's council of the province; but his patriotism 
and zeal in the cause of our country have rendered him 
and his family exceedingly odious to Governor Hutchinson 
and other adherents of the crown. Colonel Otis is the 
parent of that great champion, and able advocate for liberty 
and the rights of man, James Otis, jun. Esq. This gen- 
tleman is now in a melancholy state of mental derange- 
ment; and all New England is deploring the irreparable 
loss of the talents, eloquence, and patriotic services of this 



■^2 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775, 

justly celebrated character. Colonel Otis has two other 
sons, Joseph and Samuel Allen Otis, who are active whigs; 
and a daughter, married to James Warren, Esq. of Ply- 
mouth, who is now President of our provincial Congress. 
Though no judicial courts are in existence, few crimes are 
committed ; all is peace, order and regularity. The peo- 
ple are their own rulers, and never was there less need 
of penal laws. Trivial disputes are mutually adjusted or 
decided by reference; pecuniary demands are suspended, 
and the simple recommendations of Congress, and of our 
committees of safety, receive that cheerful acquiescence 
which is scornfully denied to the coercive edicts emanating 
from despotic power. For 

"Freedom has a thousand charms, to show 
That slaves, howe'er contented, never know." 

We have a provincial Congress in session at Concord, 

consisting of delegates elected by the people, and also a 

. grand Continental Congress at Philadelphia, composed of 

characters highly distinguished for political wisdom, rigid 

patriotism and public virtue. 

The public indignation is now greatly excited by the 
following shameful transaction. The people from the 
country, whose business called them into Boston, were 
suspected by the ofl&cers of purchasing guns from their 
soldiers. In order to furnish an opportunity to inflict 
punishment and to raise occasion for a serious quarrel. 
Lieutenant Colonel Nesbit of the forty-seventh regiment 
ordered a soldier to offer a countryman an old rusty mus- 
ket. A man from Billerica was caught by this bait, and 
purchased the gun for three dollars. The unfortunate 
man was immediately seized by Nesbit, and confined in 
the guard-house all night. Early next morning they 
stripped him entirely naked, covered him over with warm 
tar, and then with feathers, placed him on a cart, and con- 
ducted him through the streets as far as liberty-tree, where 
the people began to collect in vast numbers; and the mil- 
itary, fearing for their own safety, dismissed the man, and 
retreated to their barracks. The party consisted of about 
thirty grenadiers with fixed bayonets, twenty drums and 
fifes playing the Rogues' March, headed by the redoubta- 
ble Nesbit with a drawn sword ! What an honorable deed 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 13 

for a British field officer and grenadiers ! The selectmen 
of Billerica remonstrated with General Gage respecting 
this outrage, but obtained no satisfaction. 

April list. — Intelligence is now received that the British 
regulars have marched out of Boston, and actually com- 
menced hostilities against our people at Lexington. For 
the purpose of ascertaining the particular facts, I have 
been desired to wait on Colonel Otis, at his mansion in 
this town. It was in the evening, when I found this dig- 
nified patriot in his easy-chair, with several of his neigh- 
bors listening with agitated spirits to some account of this 
first most awful tragedy. The good old gentleman had 
received a letter containing a statement of some particu- 
lars, and with manifest trepidation he said to this eftect: 
"The British troops marched to Lexington and Concord 
last Wednesday, the 19th instant, for the purpose of de- 
stroying some of our military stores; our militia collected 
and met them at Lexington ; the regulars soon commenced 
firing on them; our people returned the fire; a smart 
skirmish ensued, and several men were killed on both 
sides. The British were compelled to retreat, in some 
confusion, to Boston ; and our people pursued and harassed 
them. The fearful day has arrived! a civil war has act- 
ually commenced in our land. We must be prepared for 
the worst, and may God preserve and protect our country." 
This tragical event seems to have electrified all classes of 
people; the brave are fired with manly resentment, the 
timid overwhelmed in despair; the patriotic whigs sor- 
rowing over public calamities, while the tories indulge 
the secret hope, that the friends of liberty are about to 
receive their chastisement. The sword is now unsheathed, 
and our friends are slaughtered by our cruel enemies; 
expresses are hastening from town to town, in all directions 
through the country, spreading the melancholy tidmgs 
and inspiriting and rousing the people To Arms! To Arms! 
The people of New England have taken the alarm, and 
their hearts are animated even to enthusiasm. There is \ 
an enthusiasm in religion, in politics, in military achieve- '- 
ments, and in gallantry and love, and why not an enthu- 
siasm in the love of country? ISio species of enthusiasm 
surely can be more laudable, or more honorable. Never 
was a cause more just, more sacred than ours; we are 

B 



14. MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1775. 

commanded to defend the rich inheritance bequeathed to 
us by our virtuous ancestors; and it is our bounden duty 
to transmit it uncontaminated to posterity; we must tight 
valiantly therefore, for our lives and property, for our 
holy religion^ for our honor, and for our dearest friends. 
We are not born to be slaves, and are resolved to live and 
die free; appealing to the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe 
for the justice of our cause, and relying on his Almighty 
arm for protection and support. A certain number of active 
men, in every town, have formed themselves into military 
companies, under the name oi minute-men ; they are daily 
practising the manual exercise, and are held in constant 
readiness to march against the enemy at a moment's warn- 
ing. We await with trembling expectation the issue of 
every hour. 

Authenticated accounts are now received of the battle 
at Lexington. On Tuesday evening, 18th instant. Gen- 
eral Gage despatched, with as much secrecy as possible, a 
detachment consisting of eight or nine hundred regulars, 
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, for the 
purpose of destroying some military stores which our 
people had deposited at Concord, about eighteen miles 
from Boston. Having arrived at Lexington, six miles 
short of Concord, they were met by a company of militia, 
of about one hundred men, who, having taken the alarm, 
began to assemble from different towns before daylight. 
They were assembled near the church, about sunrise; 
when the British advanced in quick march to within a few 
rods. Major Pitcairn called out, ^^ Disperse, you Rebels! throiv 
down your arms and disjxrse.^^ Their small number would 
not admit of opposition, and while they were dispersing, 
the regulars huzzaed, and immediately one or two pistols 
were hred by the officers, and four or five muskets by the 
soldiers; when a pretty general discharge from the whole 
party followed, by which eight of our people were killed 
and seven wounded. The British now renewed their 
march to Concord, where they destroyed a few articles of 
stores and sixty barrels of flour. Here they were met by 
about one hundred and fifty militia-men, on whom they 
fired, and killed two and wounded others. Our militia 
and minute-men were now collecting in considerable num- 
bers, and being justly enraged they made a bold and furi- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 15 

ous attack on the enemy, and drove them in quick march 
to Lexington. General Gage having received intelligence 
of the critical situation of his troops, immediately ordered 
out Lord Percy, with a large reinforcement, with two field 
pieces. He marched over the neck through Roxbury, his 
music playing by way of contempt and derision the tune 
of " Yankee doodle.'''' This timely reinforcement joined the 
party under command of Colonel Smith at Lexington, 
which formed a force of about eighteen hundred men. 
They soon deemed it prudent to commence their march 
to Boston, the provincial militia and minute-men, contin- 
ually increasing in numbers, pursued and flanked them 
with the hope of cutting off their retreat, A constant 
skirmishing ensued; the provincials concealed themselves 
behind stone walls, and with a sure aim thinned their 
enemies' ranks, and occasioned among them great confu- 
sion. On their side, they could only keep up a scattering 
fire, without effect, frequently firing over the stone walls, 
when tliere was not a man to be seen behind them. The 
great object of the British, was to effect a safe retreat to 
Boston; but, to avenge themselves, they burnt and plun- 
dered houses, destroyed property, and actually murdered 
several innocent unarmed persons. The situation of the 
king's forces was, during the day, extremely hazardous; 
and it is considered wonderful that any of them escaped. 
Worn down and almost exhausted with fatigue, and their 
ammunition nearly expended, they had become nearly 
delenceless when they reached Charlestown, in the even- 
ing, after a loss of two hundred and seventy-three men, 
killed, wounded and prisoners. The loss on the side of 
the Provincials is eighty-eight in the whole. The British 
officers have received a specimen of Yankee courage, which 
they have hitherto affected to hold in the most sovereign 
contempt; they have ascertained, by fatal experience, that 
the people of New England will bid defiance to their vet- 
eran regulars, and fight courageously in defence of their 
rights. It is truly said to be matter of astonishment and 
chagrin, that after all their glorying, their veteran troops 
have been compelled to flee before a comparatively small 
number of undisciplined Yankees. The origin of this term, 
so frecLuently employed by way of reproach to the New 
England people, is said to be as follows: A farmer, by 



IQ MILITARY JOUENAL, 1775. 

name Jonathan Hastings, of Cambridge, about the year 
1713, used it as a cant, favorite word, to express excellency 
when applied to any thing; as a Yankee good horse, 
Yankee cider, &c., meaning an excellent horse and excel- 
lent cider. The students at college, having frequent inter- 
course with Mr. Hastings, and hearing him employ the 
term on all occasions, adopted it themselves, and gave him 
the name of Yankee Jonathan; this soon became a cant 
word among the collegians to express a weak, simple, 
awkward person, and from college it was carried and cir- 
culated through the country, till, from its currency in 
New England, it was at length taken up and unjustly 
applied to the New Englanders in common, as a term of 
reproach. It was in consequence of this that a particular 
song, called " Yankee doodle,^^ was composed in derision of 
those scornfully called Yankees.* 

3Iay. — Since the catastrophe at Lexington, our Provin- 
cial Congress have addressed the several towns of the 
colony in a circular letter, in the following impressive 
language: "We conjure you by all that is dear, by all 
that is sacred, that you give all assistance possible in 
forming the army. Our all is at stake. Death and de- 
vastation are the certain consequences of delay. Every 
moment is infinitely precious. An hour lost may deluge 
your country in blood, and entail perpetual slavery on 
the few of your posterity who may survive the carnage. 
We beg and entreat, as you will answer it to your country, 
to your consciences, and, above all, as you will answer it 
to God himself, that you will hasten and encourage, by 
all possible means, the enlistment of men to form the army, 
and send them forward to head-quarters at Cambridge, 
with that expedition which the vast importance and instant 
urgency of the affair demands." 

It is scarcely possible to describe the zeal and military 
ardor which pervades New England since the battle at 
Lexington. It is supposed that nearly forty thousand 
men have been in arms with the design of investing the 
town of Boston, and avenging themselves on the enemy 

* There appears some incongruity in the above definition of the word 
Yankee. The following is supposed by some to be the origin from 
which it is derived: "Yankee is the Indian corruption of English. 
Yenglees, Yangles, Yankles, and finally Yankee.'" 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 17 

for their late slaughter of our brethren. The universal 
voice is '^starve them out" Drive them from the town, and 
let his majesty's, ships be their only place of refage. Our 
Provincial Congress have resolved that an army of thirty 
thousand men be immediately raised and established. A 
considerable number have already enlisted, and being 
formed into regiments, have taken their station at Cam- 
bridge and Roxbury. The country militia, in great num- 
bers, have arrived from various parts of New England; 
and the town of Boston is now invested on all sides, and 
thus is the whole royal army reduced to the humble con- 
dition of a besieged garrison. The situation of the inhab- 
itants is deplorable; a considerable proportion of the most 
affluent have removed into the country; but others, from 
various circumstances, are compelled to remain and suffer 
all the calamities of a besieged town and precarious sub- 
sistence. Instances indeed are not wanting of members 
of families being torn from each other, women and chil- 
dren flying from their husbands and parents, under the 
most afflictive and destitute circumstances. 

We are now experiencing a singular kind of interreg- 
num in our province ; more than a year has elapsed with- 
out any legal government, or any regular administration 
of law and justice. — No crimes, however, of an atrocious 
nature have, we believe, been perpetrated; all classes of 
people appear to be submissive, under the influence of 
the principles of moral rectitude and common justice; and 
■ the resolutions and recommendations of Congress have all 
the weight and efficacy of laws. Our domestic tranquillity 
is in some measure interrupted by a restless spirit among 
the tories; but the great body, of the community are actu- 
ated by the glorious cause of our country's freedom. The 
maxim adopted by our enemies is, ^'Divide and conquei'.^' 
We enjoin the command, " Unite and be invincibley It is 
considered infinitely important to encourage and promote 
a more perfect union among the colonies, and harmony and 
unanimity among the people. '■'■Liberty or deaih^'' " Unite 
or die^'' are the mottoes which blazon the chronicles of the 
day, and embellish the military standards of almost every 
militia company. The man who does not acquiesce in the 
theme of liberty is marked by the vigilant eye of suspicion, 
or stigmatized as an enemy to his country. Liberty-poles 



13 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1775. 

are erected in almost every town and village ; and when 
a disaffected torj renders himself odious, by any active 
conduct, with the view of counteracting the public meas- 
ures, he is seized by a company of armed men, and con- 
ducted to the liberty-pole, under which he is compelled 
to sign a recantation, and give bonds for his future good 
conduct. In some instances, of particular stubbornness 
and obstinacy, individuals have been imprisoned or their 
names have been published in the newspapers as enemies 
to their country. It has indeed unfortunately happened, 
that a few individuals, in consequence of their own indis- 
cretion, have been the subjects of a more rigorous proce- 
dure. Having fallen into the hands of those whose zeal 
has transported them beyond the bounds of moderation, 
they have received from the rabble a coat of tar and 
feathers, and in this predicament have been exposed to 
the scoffs and ridicule of the populace. Such examples 
have the effect of striking terror into the hearts of all the 
disaffected, and of restraining the whole party from acting 
against the general sense of the people. The tories make 
bitter complaints against the discipline which they receive 
from the hands of the whigs; their language is, "You make 
the air resound with the cry of liberty, but subject those 
who differ from you to the humble condition of slaves, not 
permitting us to act, or even think, according to the dictates 
of conscience." The reply is, "It is one of the first princi- 
ples of a free government, that the majority shall bear rule; 
our majority is immensely large; we have undertaken the 
hazardous task of defending the liberties of our country 
against the mighty power of Great Britian ; and hold our- 
selves responsible for our conduct. If you possess not pa- 
triotism and courage enough.to unite your efforts with ours, 
it is our duty to put it out of your power to injure the com- 
mon cause. If we are successful, your party and posterity 
will participate in the important advantages to be derived 
from our efforts. If our party should be crushed, then will 
yours in turn become triumphant." A small number of 
our tories have abandoned their homes, their families and 
property, and resorted to the standard of their royal master 
in Boston; consoling themselves in the confident expecta- 
tion of an ample reward, and a triumphant restoration. 
The clergymen of New England are, almost without excep- 




SAMUEL ADAMS. P. 19. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775. 19 

tion, advocates of whig principles; there are a few instances 
only of the separation of a minister from his people, in 
consequence of a disagreement in poHtical sentiment. The 
tories censure, in a very illiberal manner, the preacher 
who speaks boldly for the liberties of the people, while 
they lavish their praises on him who dares to teach the 
absurd doctrine, that magistrates have a divine right to 
do wrong, and are to be implicitly obeyed. It is recom- 
mended by our Provincial Congress, that on other occa- 
sions than the Sabbath, ministers of parishes adapt their 
discourses to the times, and explain the nature of civil and 
religious liberty, and the duties of magistrates and rulers. 
Accordingly, we have from our pulpits the most fervent 
and pious effusions to the throne of Divine Grace in behalf 
of our bleeding, afflicted country. A zealous divine, who 
has been compelled to abandon the people of his charge 
in Boston, on one occasion used, in the pulpit at P***, the 
following emphatical language : " Oh ! Lord, if our enemies 
will fight us, let them have lighting enough. If more sol 
diers are on their way hither, sink them, Lord, to the 
bottom of the sea." Every heart seemed ready to respond, 
"Amen, yea, let them have fighting enough." 

June 14:th. — General Gage has issued a proclamation 
declaring the province of Massachusetts Bay to be in a 
state of rebellion, offering a pardon to all who will resort 
to his standard, and denouncing the penalty of martial law 
on all those who refuse to submit to his authority, or who 
shall be found aiding or corresponding with such as he 
has designated as unpardonable rebels and traitors. He 
has been pleased to proscribe by name, Mr. John Hancock 
and Mr. Samuel Adams, as objects of his exemplary ven- 
geance. Yet, singular at it may appear, this same author- 
ized governor, and general-in-chief of the royal army, 
is now cooped up in the town of Boston, panting for a 
country airing, of which he is debarred by his denounced 
rebels. 

We are again shocked by intelligence that a terrible 
battle has been fought between the British regulars and 
the American soldiers, on Bunker, or rather Breed's hill, 
in Charlestown, near Boston, on the 17th instant. The 
report states that the whole town of Charlestown is burnt 
to ashes by the enemy, and that Dr. Joseph Warren, lately 



20 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775. 

appointed major-general in our army, is killed ; and that 
several hundreds of our soldiers are killed and wounded. 
The battle, it is said, was extremely severe and destructive; 
but the provincial troops displayed the greatest courage 
and bravery, in the face of the regulars, and have obtained 
immortal honor. The British were several times defeated 
before they took possession of our works, and have suf- 
fered a loss of more than a thousand of their best troops; 
among whom are a large proportion of their most valua- 
ble officers. They are now taught that Americans can bid 
defiance to royal regulars, when called to defend their 
freedom. The situation of our country is truly deplora- 
ble, a civil war at our doors; our neighbors, our fithers 
and brothers, called from their families to encounter an 
inexorable enemy, consisting indeed of brethren and kin- 
dred; our domestic peace and welfiire cruelly interrupted, 
and the aspect of our public affairs gloomy in the extreme. 
All New England has become a theatre of military array; 
and every member of the communit}^ manifests the deepest 
concern for the great calamities with which the country is 
afflicted, by the tyrannical measures of a corrupt admin- 
istration. In the favor of Heaven and the wisdom of our 
Congress we repose all our hope and confidence. Par- 
ticipating, I trust, in the glorious spirit of the times, and 
contemplating improvement in my professional pursuits, 
motives of patriotism and private interest prompt me to 
hazard my fortune in this noble conflict with my brethren 
in the provincial army. From the critical and embarrassed 
situation of our country, numerous and almost insurmount- 
able difficulties are opposed to my view; and I am too 
young to possess a maturity of judgment, but yet unable 
to resist the impulse of enthusiasm which characterizes 
the times. My friends afibrd me no encouragement, alleg- 
ing that, as this is a civil war, if I should fall into the 
hands of the British, the gallows will be my flite. The 
terrors of the gallows are not to be conquered, but I must 
indulge the hope that I may escape it. Hundreds of my 
superiors may take their turn before mine shall come. The 
tories assail me with the following powerful arguments: 
"Young man, are you sensible you are about to violate 
your duty to the best of kings, and run headlong into de- 
struction ? Be assured that this rebellion will be of short 



MILITARY JOUENAL, inS. 21 

duration. The royal army is all-powerful, and will, in a 
few months, march through the country and bring all to 
subjection; for they are experienced in war and expert in 
discipline. Their fleet is able to destroy every seaport 
town and beat down all our cities. There remains no 
rational alternative but a reconciliation and renewed obe- 
dience to our lawful government; or we shall soon expe- 
rience their just vengeance. What is your army but an 
undisciplined rabble ? Can they stand against an army of 
regulars? Where are your cannon, your fire-arms, your 
bayonets, and all your implements of war? Above all, 
where is your treasure, and where can you look for a bar- 
rel of gunpowder? The whole country can scarcely afford 
a sufiiciency for a battle of an hour." Not a small portion 
of their reasoning I feel to be just and true. I am not 
certain, however, but much of it may prove erroneous. 
The result of the late battle at Charlestown should con- 
vince the most incredulous tory that our soldiers will face 
the regular troops, and we are blessed with the smiles of 
Heaven on our exertions. It would be presumption in 
me to determine as to possibilities and prospect's ; but the 
voice of liberty cannot be stifled, while the welfare and 
happiness of more than three millions of people now in 
America, and of nnborn millions, are involved in the issue. 
Our rulers are the most competent judges, and under their 
banners I shall venture, I hope not rashly, to enlist, and 
trust my destiny in the hands of a kind and overruling 
Providence. My contemplated enterprise, it is true, re- 
quires the experience and resolution of riper years than 
twenty-one, and qualifications, which I do not possess, to 
ingratiate myself with strangers and those in authority. 
Having consulted Joseph Otis, Esq. of Barnstable, on this 
occasion, he immediately applauded my enterprise, and 
politely furnished me with a letter to his brother-in-law, 
James Warren, Esq. of Plymouth, who is President of 
our provincial Congress at Watertown. Imagination 
could not fail to paint my prospects in bright colors, and 
I proceeded, July the 3d, with alacrity to the seat of Con- 
gress. I was not disappointed in my interview with Mr. 
Warren ; my letter procured for me a favorable and polite 
reception. He honored me with his friendship and kind 
assistance, and introduced me to his lady, whose father's 



22 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

family and rny own, have for many years been on terms 
of friendly intercourse. The office which I solicit is one 
in the medical department, in the provincial hospital at 
Cambridge. A medical board, consisting of Drs. Holton 
and Taylor, are appointed to examine the candidates; and 
they added my name to the list for examination, on the 
10th instant. This state of suspense continuing several 
days, excites in my mind much anxiety and solicitude, 
apprehending that my stock of medical knowledge, when 
scanned by a learned committee, may be deemed inade- 
quate, and all my hopes be blasted. While on my journey, 
a visit of a few days to my friends at Plymouth gave me 
an o|)portunity to pay my respects to the rock which re- 
ceived the first footsteps of our venerated forefiithers. 
The inhabitants of this ancient town, from a reverence 
for the memory of the virtuous band of brothers from 
whom we derive our origin, have lately, with commend- 
able zeal and much labor, split off the upper portion of 
the rock, and removed it to a public square near the church 
and court-house. This rock, with its associations, would 
seem almost capable of imparting that love of country, 
and that moral virtue, which our times so much require. 
We seem holding converse with the celestial spirits, and 
receiving monition from those who are at rest in their 
graves. Have these ancient sages bequeathed their mantle 
to posterity? Can we set our feet on their rock without 
swearing, by the spirit of our fathers, to defend it and 
our country? If we reflect on their matchless enterprise, 
their fortitude, and their sufferings, we must be inspired 
with the spirit of patriotism, and the most invincible hero- 
ism. Unappalled by the dangers of unknown seas, and 
the perils and the hardships of a savage wilderness, they 
left their native country, and undertook a settlement which 
promises, through ages, to remain the rich abode of knowl- 
edge, religion, virtue and freedom. Let us, then, cherish 
a becoming sense of the exalted privileges inherited from 
our ancestors, and resolve to defend them against all at- 
tempts ^of a corrupt administration. 

July. — I improve the interim of my suspense to record 
an authentic narrative of the battle on Breed's hill, on the 
17th of June. Intelligence had been received that it was 
the intention of General Gage to post a part of his troops, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 23 

■\vithin a few days, on a promontory just at the entrance 
of the peninsula at Charlestown, called Bunker's hill. It 
was deemed important that our troops should possess them- 
selves of this eminence, before the enemy could occupy it. 
Accordingly orders were given to Colonel Prescott, a vet- 
eran of the last war, with one thousand *nen, to march 
silently in the evening of 16th of June, and throw up 
some intrenchments on the height of Bunker's hill. By 
some mistake they took possession of Breed's hill, which, 
being about one-fourth of a mile nearer Boston, was less 
capable of being defended. From some cause, the detach- 
ment was always delayed in their labor, till twelve o'clock; 
but such was their alacrity, that before day-light they had 
formed a small redoubt and some imperfect line of defence. 
About four o'clock in the morning the British were aston- 
ished to behold the works which had been thrown up in 
a single night, within a short distance of their vessels, 
without giving the least alarm. They immediately com- 
menced a tremendous cannonade from their shipping, their 
floating batteries, and from all their fortifications, which 
could have a bearing on the American works. Bombs 
and shot were incessantly rolling among the provincials 
during the forenoon, till the royal grenadiers and light in- 
fantry could be prepared to make their formidable attack; 
yet one man only was killed; and the Americans cour- 
ageously persevered in strengthening their works. They 
received in the course of the forenoon a small reinforce- 
ment, which augmented their number to about fifteen hun- 
dred, and this was not much exceeded during the day of 
battle. It was by an unaccountable error that those people, 
who had been laboring all the night, were not relieved by 
others, nor even furnished with provisions before the battle. 
Generals Putnam, Warren and Pomeroy, animated and 
encouraged the troops with their presence. At about one 
o'clock, 17th of June, the royal forces were observed to 
cross the river from Boston, and land on the shore at 
Charlestown; at the head of these veterans were Major- 
General Howe and Brigadier-General Pigot; their force 
consisted of about three thousand men, well provided with 
field-artillery. They formed m two lines, their oflicers ha- 
ranguing them probably in such language as this: "Those 
cowardly rebels must and shall be put to flight. See the 



24 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1775. 

dastardly Yankees with rusty guns and scarcely a bayonet 
among them. March on, my lads, march on ! show them 
that you are Britons; show them these dazzling arms and 
bayonets bright and sharp, and you shall soon see them 
take to their heels and run." Hear the voice of Putnam, 
of Prescott and Warren: "See, my brave soldiers, that 
phalanx approaching; these lines must and shall be de- 
fended ; these are the cruel enemies to your freedom ; they 
have come to enslave you ; remember their barbarous mur- 
ders of our friends at Lexington; fight manfully, and 
they shall be vanquished ; reserve your fire till their near 
approach; then with a sure aim cut them down, and the 
victory shall be ours." The regulars deliberately advance 
to the attack, the grenadiers in front. The Americans 
reserve their fire till the enemy are within eight or ten 
rods, that they may do effectual execution; when, by a 
general discharge of musketry and field-artillery, several 
of&cers and men are seen to fall, "their ranks are thinned; 
see the ground covered with the slain; see those wounded 
officers borne off* the field." The conflict becomes close, 
and such are the fatal effects of the incessant and furious 
discharge of our musketry, that the regulars retreat in 
disorder, and many of them flee even to their boats. The 
officers, greatly agitated, pursue their men, and threaten 
them with their swords; with great difficulty they are 
rallied, and commanded to advance again to the attack. 
The provincials are prepared, and when sufficiently near, 
a deadly fire from i their ranks puts the enemy a second 
time to flight, leaving such numbers of dead and wounded 
that several of their officers exclaim, "It is downright 
butchery to lead the men on afresh against the lines." At 
this critical moment Major-General Clinton, who till now 
had been a spectator with General Burgoyne on Copp's hill 
in Boston, passed over and entered the field, just in time 
to unite his efforts with those of the other officers for the 
purpose of forcing the regulars to renew the attack. The 
Americans still remain firm and courageous at their posts ; 
but unfortunately it was now discovered that their powder 
was iiearly expended, and another supply could not be 
procured. The enemy now change the position of their 
cannon, and place them in a situation to rake the inside 
of our breastwork in its whole course, which at length 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775. 25 

obliges the provincials to retire within their little redoubt. 
The firing from the British ships, and other armed vessels 
and batteries, is now pushed to the utmost extremity; the 
regulars are impelled forward by their officers, and our 
redoubt is attacked on three sides at the same time. Our 
brave men continue their resistance, and actually confront 
the enemy with the butt-end of their muskets after they 
had entered the fort. A party of our men under command 
of Captain Knowlton had taken up a post and rail fence, 
and placing it against another, filled the vacancy with 
newly mowed hay, which served as a slight defence. The 
British light infantry attempted to force this little party 
from their stand, and by this means to cut off the retreat 
of our troops. In this they (displayed the greatest bravery, 
but their opposers poured forth their reserved and formi- 
dable fire in such a manner as to produce astonishing 
execution, and to arrest their progress, till the whole of 
the Americans could effect a retreat. The narrow neck 
of land over which alone the provincials could retire, was 
so securely guarded by a man of war and two floating 
batteries, as to render it extremely hazardous to pass over ; 
but notwithstanding their incessant firing, our loss there 
was quite inconsiderable. The provincials were obliged 
to leave five pieces of field-artillery in the hands of the 
enemy, finding it impossible to remove them. But a loss 
^infinitely to be lamented, and which occasions universal 
grief and sorrow, is that of Major-General Joseph War- 
ren. This distinguished patriot and hero was, but a few 
days before, appointed by Congress to the rank of major- 
general in our army. Such was his zeal and ardor, that 
he rushed into the battle foremost in danger with his 
musket, and encouraged the soldiers by his example, till 
near the close of the battle, when he received a fatal shot, 
and immediately expired. The loss at this crisis of a 
man possessing so much public virtue and military ardor 
is almost irreparable. But the valor with which he is 
signalized reflects glory on his memory. It yet remains 
to mention that on this ever-memorable day, just at the 
commencement of the battle, General Howe ordered the 
handsome town of Charlestown to be set on fire, that the 
smoke might conceal their manoeuvres. The town con- 
sisted of upwards of three hundred dwelling-houses, some 



2Q MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775. 

of them elegant, and about two hundred buildings of other 
descriptions, which contained property and goods to a 
large amount, belonging to the distressed inhabitants of 
Boston. Fire was communicated to a number of houses, 
which, being wafted by the wind, soon reached the sacred 
temple, when the flames issued from its lofty spire; while 
from the conflagration and the embattled field, smoke 
mingled with smoke in majestic columns, and ascended 
to the clouds. This, with -the roaring of cannon, sheets 
of fire from the musketry, and the awful slaughter, formed 
a spectacle which for sublimity and grandeur has never 
perhaps been exceeded. This most dreadful scene, with 
all its concomitant horrors, was within view of a vast con- 
course of agonized spectators, posted on the tops of houses 
and steeples in Boston, and on numerous surrounding hills, 
hundreds of whom were trembling for the fate of a parent, 
a husband or a brother. Well might a devout person 
exclaim, " Good Heavens ! what a scene do I behold! what 
carnage of the human race! what sacrifice of precious life. 
My God! stay thy hand, restrain a further effusion of 
human blood, spare the innocent, let punishment fall on 
the heads of the guilty. Is there not some hidden carse 
in reserve for our country's foes!" At the head of the 
British army General Howe advanced with undaunted 
bravery, continually pressing into the most exposed situa- 
tion. It is truly wonderful that he escaped with only a 
wound in his foot. The valiant Major Piteairn, who was 
so conspicuously active at Lexington, was among the first 
who mounted our breastworks, and at the moment when 
he was heard to exclaim, "the day is ours," the fatal ball 
pierced his body and he fell. His son, a captain, received 
him in his arms, with all the ardor of filial love and tender 
sympath}^, and bore him to the boat, where he expired. 
On the American side, Generals Putnam, Warren, Pom- 
eroy, and Colonel Prescott were emphaticall}^ the heroes 
of the day, and their unexampled efforts were crowned 
with glory. The incomparable Colonel Prescott marched 
at the head of the detachment, and though several general 
officers were present, he retained the command during the 
action. He displayed a native daring bravery altogether 
unrivalled, and infused the conquering spirit of a soldier 
into the hearts of all who were under his command, and 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1775. 27 

crowned himself with immortal honor. Colonel John 
Stark commanded a regiment from New Hampshire, and 
siscnalized himself by his active bravery. His very valiant 
Major McClary was killed by a cannon-ball while recross- 
ing Charlestown neck, which is lamented as a public loss. 
On this never-to-be-forgotten occasion a fair opportunity 
was presented for the trial of the courage and prowess of 
the people of New England, when contending for their 
constitutional freedom. They marched to the field as an 
undisciplined, inexperienced body of yeomanry, rather 
than as professed warriors; a large majority of them carry- 
ing ordinary fire-arms, unprovided with bayonets, and 
habited in the style of country laborers. It was their lot 
to contend with an army of disciplined veterans, profess- 
edly experienced in the art of warfare, uniformly clothed 
and armed, and commanded by generals whose names, 
even in Europe, are little less than a host. 

The comparative force of the two armies was about two 
to one against the provincials, besides the royal artillery, 
ships, and other armed vessels. What in fact is the result 
of this most unequal combat? Certain it is, that on the 
first and the second onset, the veterans were fairly repulsed, 
and whatever advantage was ultimately obtained, was at 
the expense of some of their most valuable officers and 
the flower of the British grenadiers and light infantry. 
These two corps, at the moment of their first onset, lost 
three-fourths of their number; of one company five, and 
of another, fourteen only escaped. The remarkable dis- 
parity of loss is a clear demonstration of the superior 
advantage on our side. It is an ascertained fact, that of 
the enemy nineteen commissioned officers were killed and 
seventy wounded; and their total loss, according to Gen- 
eral Gage, was one thousand and fifty-four. Of the pro- 
vincials, the killed and dead of their wounds, are one 
hundred and thirty-nine. Other wounded, two hundred 
and seventy-eight. Prisoners by the enemy, thirty-six. 
Total, four hundred and fifty-three. The provincials have 
much reason to triumph on the successful issue of this 
first general conflict with veteran troops; it must tend 
greatly to increase their confidence in their own powers, 
and give them a serious impression that we are favored 
with the smiles of Heaven. Had our troops been furnished 



28 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

with a sufficient quantity of ammunition, the enemy must 
have suffered a total defeat. After our troops retreated, 
the regulars took possession of their dear-bought Bunker's 
hill, and immediately fortified themselves there. It is 
said that some of the veteran British officers, who have 
been in some hard-fought battles in Europe, observed, that 
they had never witnessed any one equal in severity to that 
on Breed's hill. It is presumed they will no longer apply 
the term poltroons to American soldiers. A considerable 
number of tories, whose zeal for the royal cause led them 
into battle, were killed or wounded. Our army has taken 
post at Cambridge and Roxbury, in such a manner as to 
invest the town of Boston. Our general officers are Gen- 
erals Ward, Pomeroy, Thomas and Heath, of Massachu- 
setts colony, and General Putnam from Connecticut. 

On the day appointed, the medical candidates, sixteen 
in number, were summoned before the board for examin- 
ation. This business occupied about four hours; the sub- 
jects were anatomy, physiology, surgery and medicine. 
It was not long after, that I was happily relieved from 
suspense, by receiving the sanction and acceptance of the 
board, with some acceptable instructions relative to the 
faithful discharge of duty, and the humane treatment of 
those soldiers who may have the misfortune to require 
my assistance. Six of our number were privately rejected 
as being found unqualified. The examination was in a 
considerable degree close and severe, which occasioned 
not a little agitation in our ranks. But it was on another 
occasion, as I am told, that a candidate under examination 
was agitated into a state of perspiration, and being required 
to describe the mode of treatment in rheumatism, among 
other remedies he would promote a sweat, and being asked 
how he would effect this with his patient, after some hes- 
itation he replied, "I would have him examined by a 
medical committee." I was so fortunate as to obtain the 
office of surgeon's mate in the provincial hospital at Cam- 
bridge, Dr. John Warren being the senior surgeon. He 
was the brother and pupil of the gallant General Joseph 
Warren, who was slain in the memorable battle on Breed's 
hill. This gentleman has acquired great reputation in his 
profession, and is distinguished for his humanity and at- 
tention to the sick and wounded soldiers, and for his 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1775. 29 

amiable disposition. Having received my appointment 
*by the Provincial Congress, I commenced my duty in the 
hospital, July 15th. y Several private, but commodious, 
houses in Cambridge are occupied for hospitals, and a 
considerable number of soldiers' who were wounded at 
Breed's hill, and a greater number of sick of various dis- 
eases, require all our attention./ Dr. Isaac Foster, late of 
Chariestown, is also appointed a senior hospital surgeon ; 
and his student, Mr. Josiah Bartlet, officiates as his mate; 
Dr. Benjamin Church is director-general of the hospital. 

I am informed that General George Washington arrived 
at our provincial camp, in this town, on the 2d July; 
having been appointed, by the unanimous voice of the 
Continental Congress at Philadelphia, general and com- 
mander-in-chief of all the troops raised, and to be raised, 
for the defence of the United Colonies, as they are now 
termed. They are, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Ehode 
Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, 
Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, and Georgia. General Washington is a native 
of Virginia; he was in General Braddock's defeat in 1755, 
and having had considerable experience in the wars with 
the French and Indians on the frontiers of that colony, in 
former 37ears, he is supposed to possess ample qualifica- 
tions for the command of our army, and the appointment 
gives universal satisfaction. Such is his disinterested pa- 
triotism, that he assured Congress, on his appointment, 
that he should receive from the public, for his military 
services, no other compensation than the amount of his 
necessary expenses. He has been received here with every 
mark of respect, and addressed by our Provincial Congress 
in the most affectionate and respectful manner. All ranks 
appear to repose full confidence in him as commander-in- 
chief; it is the fervent prayer of the religiously disposed, 
that he may be instrumental in bringing this unhappy 
controversy to an honorable and speedy termination. He 
is accompanied by General Lee and General Gates; two 
gentlemen who have held commissions in the royal army. 
The former is now appointed major-general, and the latter 
adjutant-general, by our Continental Congress. General 
Washington has established his head-quarters in a conve- 
nient house, about half a mile from Harvard College, and 



30 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1775. 

in the vicinity of our hospital. The provincial army is 
encamped in various parts of this town and Eoxbnry, and 
some works have been erected on Prospect hill, and on 
an eminence near Eoxbury church, within cannon-shot 
of Boston. The amount of our forces I have not ascer- 
tained; but we are daily increasing in numbers, both of 
militia and enlisted soldiers. |The operations of the war 
have interrupted the progress of education at college; the 
students have returned to their homes, and the college 
buildings are occupied by our soldiery. 

July 20th. — This day is devoted to a Public Fast 
throughout the United Colonies, by the recommendation of 
Congress, to implore the Divine benediction on our coun- 
try; that any further shedding of blood may be averted; 
and that the calamities with which we are afflicted may 
be removed. This is the first general or Continental Fast 
ever observed since the settlement of the colonies. I have 
been much gratified this day with a view of General 
Washington. His excellency was on horseback, in com- 
pany with several military gentlemen. It was not difficult 
to distinguish him from all others; his personal appearance 
is truly noble and majestic; being tall and well propor- 
tioned. His dress is a blue coat with buff"-colored facings, 
a rich epaulette on each shoulder, buff under dress, and 
an elegant small sword; a black cockade in his hat. 

August — The firing of cannon is now frequently prac- 
tised from our works at Prospect hill and Winter hill, 
advantageous eminences in full view and within cannon- 
shot of the enemy's camp on Bunker's hill; and some shot 
are returned from the enemy; but without any considera- 
ble loss. At Eoxbury also our people have foi'tified sev- 
eral hills, and breastworks are thrown up acrot^s the main 
street, within half a mile of the British lines; from which 
cannon-shot and some bomb-shells are every day thrown 
into Boston. The enemy fire their cannon-shot into Eox- 
bury, and several have passed through the church ; but 
little damage has yet been sustained, and our soldiers be- 
come so familiarized to the sight of cannon-shot rolling 
among them, that they manifest little or no fear of the 
consequences. The right wing of our army at Eoxbury 
is commanded by Major-General Ward ; and the lelt at 
Prospect hill, by Major-General Lee. 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1775. 31 

The Continental Congress having voted, "That a sum 
not exceeding two milHons of Spanish milled dollars be 
emitted by them in bills of credit for the defence of Amer- 
ica," gold and silver soon disappeared, and paper bills now 
circulate instead of specie. 

Several companies of riflemen, amounting, it is said, to 
more than fourteen hundred men, have arrived here from 
Pennsylvania and Maryland; a distance of from five hun- 
dred to seven hundred miles. They are remarkably stout 
and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in 
height. They are dressed in white frocks, or rifle-shirts, 
and round hats. These men are remarkable for the accu- 
racy of their aim ; striking a mark with great certainty at 
two hundred 3rards distance. At a review, a company of 
them, while on a quick advance, fired their balls into 
objects of seven inches diameter, at the distance of two 
hundred and fifty yards. They are now stationed on our 
lines, and their shot have frequently proved fatal to British 
officers and soldiers who expose themselves to view, even 
at more than double the distance of common musket-shot. 

October. — An event of considerable importance has oc- 
curred, which occasions much surprise and speculation. 
Dr. Benjamin Church has long sustained high reputation 
as a patriot and son of liberty. He has, for some time, 
been a member of our House of Representatives; and has 
been appointed surgeon-general and director of our hos- 
pitals. This gentleman has just been detected in a trait- 
orous correspondence with the enemy in Boston. A letter 
in cipher, written by him, was intrusted to the care of a 
female, with whom he was well acquainted, to be conveyed 
to Boston. On examination, the woman absolutely refiised 
to reveal the name of the writer, till she was terrified by 
the threats of severe punishment; when she named Dr. 
Church, he was greatly agitated and confounded, manifested 
marks of guilt, and. made no attempt to vindicate himself. 
But after the letter was deciphered, and he had taken time 
to reflect, he used all his powers of persuasion to make it 
appear that the letter contained no information that would 
injure the American cause; and made a solemn appeal to 
Heaven that it was written for the purpose of procuring 
some important intelligence from the enemy. He was 
tried, convicted, and expelled from the House of Repre- 



32 MILITAET JOrE"NAL, 1775. 

sentatives; and Congress afterwards resolved, "that lie 
be closely confined in some secure jail in Connecticut, 
without the use of pen, ink, or paper; and that no person 
be allowed to converse with him, except in the presence 
and hearing of a magistrate, or the sheriff of the county."* 

I have just returned from a ramble to Roxbury, with a 
view of examining the camp and works in that quarter. 
Not meeting with any person with whom I am acquainted, 
I returned after a slight view of the lines and the church 
in that town, which is pierced through in many places by 
cannon-shot from the enemy, 

10th. — General Gage has sailed for England; and the 
command of the army, has devolved on General William 
Howe. He has issued a proclamation, prohibiting all 
persons attempting to quit the town, without a written 
license, on penalty of military execution, if taken, and if 
they escape they are to be proceeded against as traitors, 
and their effects to be forfeited; and also declaring, that 
if any, who are licensed to depart, attempt carrying away 
more than five pounds in specie, they shall forfeit the 
whole sum discovered, beside suffering fine and imprison- 
ment. Such is the wretched condition of the Bostonians 
since their native town has been converted into a royal 
garrison. It is recollected that in April last, it was agreed 
between General Gage and a committee of the town, that 
on the inhabitants in general surrendering up their fire- 
arms to the care of the selectmen, all such inhabitants as 
were desirous of removing out of town, should have this 
liberty, with their families and effects. The town voted 
to comply with this proposal, and General Gage on his 
part confirmed the same. It was also stipulated, that those 
persons in the country who should incline to' remove into 
Boston should be permitted to change their residence with- 
out molestation. The fire-arms were accordingly surren- 
dered, and some of the inhabitants were allowed to depart; 
but it was not long before General Gage found various 
pretences to violate his stipulation, and prohibited any 
further removals; in consequence of which, many families 
were compelled to a cruel separation ; husbands and wives, 

* Dr. Church was finally permitted to depart from the country. He 
and his family embarked for the West Indies; the vessel foundered at 
sea, and all were lost. 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1775. 33 

parents and children, were separated, and the aged and 
infirm left without protection. 

The terra for which the continental soldiers enlisted will 
expire in a few weeks, and it is understood that the re- 
cruits for a future army will be enlisted to serve to the 1st 
of December next, unless sooner discharged, as hopes are 
yet entertained that a settlement of our difficulties with 
Great Britain may be effected. Reports are in circulation 
that an attack on the town of Boston is contemplated ; or, 
that the plan has been agitated and is relinquished, till our 
people can pass over on the ice. The public appear to 
be impatient to have our inveterate enemies expelled from 
our territories. 

November. — Our hospitals are considerably crowded with 
sick soldiers from camp; the prevailing diseases are au- 
tunmal fevers and dysenteric complaints, which have 
proved fatal in a considerable number of instances. It is 
highly gratifying to observe, that these brave men, while 
in the service of their country, receive in sickness all the 
kind attention from physicians and nurses, which their 
circumstances require; they have the prayers and conso- 
lations of pious clergymen, and are destitute of nothing 
but the presence of their dearest friends to alleviate their 
sufferings. 

I am sorr}^ to have occasion to notice in my journal the 
following occurrence. The body of a soldier has been 
taken from- the grave, for the purpose, probably of dis- 
section, and the empty coffin left exposed. This affair 
occasions considerable excitement among our people ; both 
resentment and grief are manifested; as it seems to impress 
the ideia that a soldier's body is held in no estimation after 
death. Such a practice, if countenanced, might be attended 
with serious consequences as it respects our soldiers. 
Much inquiry has been made, but without success, for the 
discovery of the persons concerned; and the practice in 
future is strictly prohibited by the commander-in-chief. 

The joyful intelligence is now announced in the public 
papers, that Captain Manly, of Marblehead, commander 
of one of our privateers, has captured an English ship, 
bound to Boston, loaded with ordnance stores, of immense 
value at the present time. Among the ordnance is a 
large brass mortar on a new construction, and a number 



34 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

of pieces of fine brass cannon. There are small arms, 
amniunition, utensils, &c. &c. in great abundance. An 
invoice, it is said, could scarcely be formed of articles better 
suited to our wants and circumstances. Several other 
store vessels have been taken by our privateers, with car- 
goes of provision and various kinds of stores, to a very 
considerable amount, which greatly augments the dis- 
tresses of the troops and people in Boston, and affords us 
a very opportune and essential supply. It is now repre- 
sented that the distresses of the inhabitants and troops in 
Boston exceed the possibility of description. They are 
almost in a state of starvation, for the want of food and 
fuel. The inhabitants, totally destitute of vegetables, 
flour and fresh provisions, have actually been obliged to 
feed on horse flesh; and the trooj)s confined to salt pro- 
visions; by means of which they have become very sickly. 
They have taken down a number of houses, removed the 
pews from the church, and are digging up the timber at 
the wharves for fuel. 

Decei-nher 2d. — I visited the park of artillery, and was 
much gratified to find a collection of ordnance far exceed- 
ing my expectations, and such as is suj^posed by some to 
be adequate to our present exigence. I had a view of the 
large brass mortar taken by Captain Manly; it is now 
called the Congress^ and will soon be prepared to speak in 
strong terms to its former masters. 

4:th. — A considerable number of Connecticut troops have 
left our service and returned home; no persuasion could 
induce them to continue in service after their time of en- 
listment had expired. Enlisting officers are distributed 
in various parts of New England ; but it is reported that 
voluntary enlistments go on slowly. The people seem to 
be unwilling to engage in the public service, and require 
higher wages. The spirit of patriotism appears in 'some 
degree to have subsided, and the miHtia are to be employed. 

11th. — A party of militia, said to be about two thousand, 
have arrived in camp; and information is received that 
.three thousand more are on their march. A few enlisted 
soldiers have arrived; but so destitute are they of fire- 
arms, that it has been found necessary to take the arms 
by force from the soldiers who retire, paying for them, in 
order to supply the recruits. 




OE^TERAL RICHARD MOJfTOOMERT. P. 36. 



MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1776. 35 

18th. — The Americans have advanced and hroJcen ground 
at Lechmere's Point, within half a mile of Boston ; which 
occasioned a severe cannonade from the enemy; but they 
persevered in their work, and suffered but an inconsidera- 
ble loss. It is stated, from the minutes of some person, 
that from Breed's hill battle to the 25th instant, the British 
have thrown upwards of two thousand shot and shells. 
By the whole firing, on Cambridge side, they killed only 
seven, and on Eoxbury side five, just a dozen in the whole. 
At this rate, how many shot and bombs will it require 
to subdue the whole of his majesty's rebellious subjects? 

January^ 1776. — At the close of the last year, as is now 
reported, our army was reduced to a very critical situation, 
being obliged to substitute new-raised troops and militia 
in the place of those who had been in service five or six 
months ; and this exchange was made within musket-shot 
of the enemy's lines. During part of this period, our 
numbers were not sufl&cient to man the lines, nor was 
there powder enough in camp to furnish four rounds a 
man. Before our privateers had fortunately captured 
some prizes with cannon and other ordnance, our army 
before Boston had, I believe, only four small brass cannon 
and a few old honey-comb iron pieces with their trunnions 
broken off; and these were ingeniously bedded in timbers 
in the same manner as that of stocking a musket. These 
machines were extremely unwieldy and inconvenient, 
requiring much skill and labor to elevate and depress 
them. Had the enemy been made acquainted with our 
situation, the consequences might have been exceedingly 
distressing. 

2bth. — The newspapers announce the most painful in- 
telligence from our army in Canada. General Montgom- 
ery, the commander, made a desperate, but unsuccessful, 
assault on the city of Quebec, on the 31st ultimo. The 
event has proved most fatal and disastrous. General 
Montgomery and his aid-de-camp, with several other 
officers, were slain. Colonel Arnold, the second in com- 
mand, heroically passed the first barrier with his small 
party, and received a wound in his leg. About three 
hundred of the continental troops were made prisoners, 
and about sixty killed and wounded. We remain unac- 
quainted with further particulars. The death of General 



3(3 xMILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

Montgomery is universally deplored. In the public papers 
we have the following account of this brave officer. "He 
was a captain of grenadiers in the 17th regiment of British 
troops, of which General Monckton was colonel. He served 
the last war in the expeditions in the West Indies and 
America, and returned with his regiment to England. In 
1772 he quitted his regiment, though in a fair way of 
preferment. Whilst in America he imbibed an affection 
for this country — he had, while in the king's service, de- 
clared his disapprobation of the sentiments of the ministry, 
and viewed America as the rising seat of arts and freedom." 

Fthruary 9ih. — A very considerable firing was heard 
last evening from Boston ; it was occasioned by a detach- 
ment of one hundred men, under the command of Major 
Knowlton, who made an incursion into Charlestown, for 
the purpose 'of burning a number of houses, to deprive 
the enemy of their use. He effected the object of his 
expedition by burning about ten houses in the possession 
of the eneni}^, and returned in less than two hours, bringing 
oiY some muskets, without the loss of a single man either 
killed or wounded. 

14ith. — The following anecdote is worth notice; it ap- 
pears by extracts from letters written by the officers who 
are the subjects of it. Some British officers, soon after 
General Gage arrived at Boston, while walking on Beacon 
hill in the evening, were frightened by noises in the air, 
which they took to be the whizzing of bullets. They left 
the hill with great precipitation, and reported that they 
were shot at with air-guns, and wrote frightful accounts of 
the affiiir to their friends in En2:land. The whizzing noise 
which so alarmed these valiant officers, could be no other 
than the buzzing of bugs and beetles while flying in the air. 

IQth. — It might be supposed that the melancholy aspect 
of the times, and the dreadful disappointments and priva- 
tions of the British officers and tories in Boston, would 
affi)rd matter for the most serious consideration, and effect- 
ually check every emotion bordering on levity and amuse- 
ment. We find, however, that they do not deny them- 
selves balls and theatrical amusements, for they say in the 
language of the poet, 

"What need of piping for the songs and sherry, 
When our own miseries can make us merry." 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 37 

It is asserted from Boston, that on the evening when 
Major Knowlton set fire to the iiouses in Charlestown, 8th 
instant, the farce of "^/le Bloclw.de of Boston^'''' of wliich 
Greneral Bnrgoyne is the reputed autlior, was to be per- 
formed. The figure designed to burlesque General Wash- 
ington was dressed in an uncouth style, with a large wig 
and long rusty sword, attended by his orderly-sergeant 
in his country dress, having on his shoulder an old rusty 
gun, seven or eight feet long. At the moment this figure 
appeared on the stage, one of the regular sergeants came 
running on the stage, threw down his bayonet, and 
exclaimed, "The Yankees are attacking our works on 
Bunker's hill." Those of the audience who were unac- 
quainted with tlie different parts, supposed that this be- 
longed to the farce; but when General Howe called out, 
Officers to your alarm posfe,.' they were undeceived ; all was 
confusion and dismay; and among the ladies, shrieking 
and fainting ensued. How pure the satisfaction to a great 
mind employed in burlesquing those Yankees by whom 
they are besieged! 

18^A. — Dr. John Morgan of Philadelphia is appointed 
by Congress director-general of our hospitals, instead of 
Dr. Church, removed. Since his arrival here, a new and 
systematic arrangement in the medical department has 
taken place; the number of surgeon's mates in the hospital 
is to be reduced, and vacancies in regiments are to be sup- 
plied. I have been subjected to another examination by 
Dr. Morgan, and received from him the appointment of 
surgeon's mate to Dr. David Townsend, in the regiment 
commanded by Colonel Asa Whitcomb, stationed in the 
barracks on Prospect hill. 

22d — Our regiment, according to orders, marched to 
Eoxbury, and took quarters in the large and elegant 
house formerly belonging to Governor Shirley. Great 
preparations are making in our army for some important 
event. Several regiments of militia "have arrived from the 
country ; and orders have been received for surgeons and • 
mates to prepare lint and bandages, to the amount of two 
thousand, for fractured limbs and other gun-shot wounds. 
It is, however, to be hop.ed that not one-quarter of the 
number will be required, whatever may be the nature of 
the occasion. Great activity and animation are observed 



38 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776, 

among our officers and soldiers, who manifest an anxious 
desire to have a conflict with the enemy. Either a gen- 
eral assault on the town of Boston, or the erection of 
works on the heights of Dorchester, or both, is generally- 
supposed to be in contemplation. 

March 2d. — A very heavy discharge of cannon and 
mortars commenced from all our works at Cambridge and 
Roxbury. 

8d — The firing from our works continues, but the great 
brass mortar, the Congress^ and two others, have unfortu- 
nately burst; which is exceedingly regretted. 

Ml. — The object in view is now generally understood 
to be the occupying and fortifying of the advantageous 
heights of Dorchester. A detachment of our troops is 
ordered to march for this purpose this evening; and our 
regiment, with several others, has received orders to march 
at four o'clock in the morning, to relieve them. We are 
favored with a full bright moon, and the night is remark- 
ably mild and pleasant; the preparations are immense; 
more than three hundred loaded carts are in motion. By 
the great exertions of General Mifflin, our quarter-master- 
general, the requisite number of teams has been procured. 
The covering party of eight hundred men advance in front. 
Then follow the carts with the intrenching tools; after 
which, the working party of twelve hundred, commanded 
by General Thomas, of Kingston. Next in the martial 
procession are a train of carts, loaded with fascines and 
nay, screwed into large bundles of seven or eight hundred 
weight. The whole procession moved on in solemn silence, 
and with perfect order and regularity ; while the continued 
roar of cannon serves to engage the attention and divert 
the enemy from the main object. 

bih. — At about four o'clock our regiment followed to 
the heights of Dorchester, as a relief party. On passing 
Dorchester neck I qbserved a vast number of large bun- 
dles of screwed hay, arranged in a line next the enemy, 
to protect our troops from a raking fire, to which we should 
have been greatly exposed, while passing and repassing. 
The carts were still in motion with materials; some of 
them have made three or four trips. On the heights we 
found two forts in considerable forwardness, and sufficient 
for a defence against small arms and grape-shot. The 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 39 

amount of labor performed during the night, considering 
the earth is frozen eighteen inches deep, is almost incred- 
ible. The enemy having discovered our works in the 
morning, commenced a tremendous cannonade from the 
forts in Boston, and from their shipping in the harbor. 
Cannon-shot are continually rolling and rebounding over 
the hill ; and it is astonishing to observe how little our 
soldiers are terrified by them. During the forenoon we 
were in momentary expectation of witnessing an awful 
scene; nothing less than the carnage of Breed's hill battle 
was expected. The royal troops are perceived to be in 
motion, as if embarking to pass the harbor, and land on 
Dorchester shore, to attack our works. The hills and 
elevations in this vicinity are covered with spectators to 
witness deeds of horror in the expected conflict. His 
Excellency General Washington is present, animating and 
encouraging the soldiers, and they in return manifest their 
joy, and express a warm desire for the approach of the 
enemy ; each man knows his place, and is resolute to ex- 
ecute his duty. Our breastworks are strengthened, and 
among the means of defence are a great number of bar- 
rels, filled with stones and sand, arranged in front of our 
works; which are to be put in motion and made to roll 
down the hill, to break the ranks and legs of the assailants 
as they advance. These are the preparations for blood and 
slaughter. Gracious God ! if it be determined in thy Provi- 
dence that thousands of our fellow-creatures shall this day 
be slain, let thy wrath be appeased, and in mercy grant that 
victory be on the side of our suffering, bleeding country ! 
The anxious day has closed, and the enemy has failed 
to molest us. From appearances, however, there are strong 
reasons to suppose that they have only postponed their 
meditated work till another day. It is presumed that the 
martial fire, which has been enkindled in the breasts of 
our soldiery, will not be extinguished during the night, 
and that they will not rest quietly under their disappoint- 
ment. . Early in the morning of the 6th, our regiment was 
relieved from its tour of duty, and I bade adieu to Dor- 
chester heights, without being called to dress a single 
wound. Not more than two or three men were killed or 
wounded during the twenty-four hours. Some of the 
British troops were seen to embark, and pass down towards 



40 M.IUTAEY JOURNAL, 1776. 

the castle last evening, to be in readiness, it was supposed, 
in conjunction with others, to attack our works this morn- 
ing; but a most violent storm came on in the night, and 
still continuing, obliges General Howe to abandon his 
enterprise, and thus has a kind Providence seen fit to 
frustrate a design, which must have been attended with 
immense slaughter and bloodshed. General Howe must 
now be sensible of his exposed situation, and be convinced 
of the immediate necessity of evacuating the town of Bos- 
ton, if he would prevent the sacrifice of his fleet and army. 

^th. — There are strong indications in Boston that the 
king's troops are preparing to evacuate the town ; and that 
no attempt will be made to dispossess our people of the 
works which we have constructed on Dorchester heights. 

8^^. — A flag of truce has come out of Boston with a 
message from the selectmen; acquainting General Wash- 
ington that General Howe has come to the determination 
to evacuate the town; and that he would leave it standing, 
provided his army should be permitted to retire without 
being molested. At the same time intimating, as is re- 
ported, that in case he should be attacked by our army, 
the town should be set on fire in different places, in order 
to secure his retreat. We are unacquainted with the de- 
termination of his excellency respecting this proposition ; 
but it is well known that he has been in favor of making 
an attack on the town; and that the necessary preparations 
were made, and the plan arranged, to be put in execution 
in the event of the enemy's meditated attack on our works 
at Dorchester heights. Four thousand troops, the first 
division commanded by General Sullivan, the second by 
General Greene, were ordered to be in readiness, and in 
case the enemy had advanced and been defeated on the 
heights of Dorchester, this force, at a given signal, was 
to have rushed into the town and taken possession. 

It is credibly reported from Boston, that on the morning 
when the British officers discovered our newly-erected 
works, which, on account of a fog, loomed to great advan- 
tage, and appeared larger than the reality. General Howe, 
on viewing them, was heard to say in astonishment, "I 
know not what I shall do: the rebels have done more in 
one night than my whole army would have done in weeks." 
His admiral soon assured him that if the rebels were per- 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1776. 4;[ 

mitted to hold possession, he should not be able to keep 
a single ship in the harbor in safety. 

Nothing of consequence occurred to observation till 
Sunday morning, March 17th, when at an early hour it 
was perceived that the royal army commenced their em- 
barkation on board of transports. In the course of the 
forenoon we enjoyed the unspeakable satisfaction of be- 
holding their whole. fleet under sail, wafting from our 
shores the dreadful scourge of war. It was in the power 
of the provincials by a cannonade to have annoyed the 
enemy's shipping and transports as they passed Dorchester 
heights, and to have occasioned great embarrassment and 
destruction among them; but no orders were given for this 
purpose, and they were suffered to pass unmolested. By 
this event we are happily relieved of a force consisting of 
seven thousand five hundred and seventy-five regulars, 
exclusive of the staff, which, with the marines and sailors, 
may be estimated at about ten thousand in the whole. 
This force greatly exceeds the five regiments with which 
General Grant vauntingly boasted in England that he could 
march successfully from one end of the American conti- 
nent to the othei'. A considerable number of tories, who 
had joined the royal standard, took passage with their 
families on board of the transports with the army, and 
bade adieu to their native country, without knowing what 
part of the world is to be their destiny. 

Immediately after the enemy sailed from Boston harbor. 
General Washington ordered the major part of his army 
to march to New York, to secure that city against the 
apprehended invasion of General Howe. It was not till 
Wednesday, the 20th, that our troops were permitted to 
enter the town, when our regiment, with two or three 
others, were ordered to march in, and take up our quarters, 
which were provided for us in comfortable houses. While 
marching through the streets, the inhabitants appeared 
at their doors and windows; though they manifested a 
lively joy on being liberated from a long imprisonment, 
they were not altogether free from a melancholy gloom 
which ten tedious months' siege has spread over their 
countenances. The streets and buildings present a scene 
which reflects disgrace on their late occupants, exhibiting 
a deplorable desolation and wretchedness. 



42 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1776. 

22c?. — A concourse of people from the country are 
crowding into town, full of friendly solicitude , and it is 
truly interesting to witness the tender interviews and fond 
embraces of those who have been long separated, under 
circumstances so peculiarly distressing. But it is particu- 
larly unfortunate on this occasion, that the small-pox is 
lurking in various parts of the town ; which deters many 
from enjoying an interview with their friends. The pa- 
rents and sister of my friend Dr. Townsend have continued 
in town during the siege; being introduced to the family 
by the Doctor, I received a kind and polite invitation to 
take up my abode with them, where I am enjoying the 
kindest attentions and civilities. I accompanied several 
gentlemen to view the British fortifications on Roxbury 
neck, where I observed a prodigious number of little mil- 
itary engines called caltrops, or crow-feet, scattered over 
the ground in the vicinity of the works to impede the 
march of our troops in case of an attack. The implement 
consists of an iron ball armed with four sharp points about 
one inch in length, so formed that which way soever it 
may fall one point still lies upwards to pierce the feet of 
horses or men, and are admirably well calculated to obstruct 
the march of an enemy. 

28d. — I went to view the Old South Church, a spacious 
brick building near the centre of the town. It has been 
for more than a century consecrated to the service of 
religion, and many eminent divines have in its pulpit 
labored in teaching the ways of righteousness and truth. 
But during the late siege the inside of it was entirely 
destroyed by the British, and the sacred building occupied 
as a riding-school for Burgoyne's regiment of dragoons. 
The pulpit and pews were removed, the floor covered with 
earth, and used for the purpose of training and exercising 
their horses. A beautiful pew, ornamented with carved 
work and silk furniture, was demolished; and by order 
of an officer, the carved work, it is said, was used as a 
fence for a hog-sty. The North Church, a very valuable 
building, was entirely demolished, and consumed for fuel. 
Thus are our houses, devoted to religious worship, pro- 
faned and destroyed by the subjects of his royal majesty. 
His excellency the commander-in-chief has been received 
by the inhabitants with every mark of respect and grati- 







w'"'iii,:,i, ,'i 'ii " v\ 




OEJ^ERAL JOSEPH WARREK. P. 43. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776, 43 

tude; and a public dinner has been provided for him. He 
requested the Eev. Dr. Eliot, at the renewal of his custom- 
ary Thursday Lecture, to preach a thanksgiving sermon, 
adapted to the joyful occasion. Accordingly on the 28th, 
this pious divine preached an appropriate discourse from 
Isaiah xxxiii. 20, in presence of his excellency and a re- 
spectable audience. 

29^A. — The Massachusetts House of Representatives and 
Council presented his excellency a respectful and affec- 
tionate address; and received from him a reply no less 
respectful and satisfactory. 

One of our soldiers found a human skeleton in complete 
preparation, left by a British surgeon, which I have re- 
ceived as an acceptable present. 

April 8th. — I attended at the Stone Chapel, where were 
performed the funeral solemnities over the remains of that 
patriot and hero Major-General Joseph Warren. The re- 
mains were taken from the earth at Breed's hill, placed 
in an elegant coffin, and brought into the chapel, where, 
in the presence of a numerous assembly, a 'eulogy was 
pronounced by Perez Morton, Esq., a young lawyer of 
abilities. The ceremony was conducted by the society of 
Free Masons, of which the deceased was grand master. 
A grand procession was formed, and the remains having 
received the customary masonic honors, were deposited 
in the vault under the chapel. This proceeding was to 
me a pleasing novelty, and in the view of the public, a 
grateful tribute to the memory of a beloved fellow -citizen. 

"Let laurels, dreneh'd in pure Parnassian dews, 
Reward his niem'ry, dear to every muse, 
Who, with a courage of unshaken root. 
In honor's field advancing his firm foot. 
Plants it upon the line that justice draws. 
And will prevail or perish in her cause. 
'Tis to the virtues of such men man owes 
His portion in the good that Heaven bestows. 
And when recording History displays 
Feats of renown, though wrought in ancient days; 
Tells of a few stout hearts, that fought and died 
Where duty placed them, at their country's side; 
The man that is not moved with what he reads, 
That takes not fire at their heroic deeds. 
Unworthy of the blessings of the brave. 
Is base in kind, and born to be a slave." — Cowpek. 



44 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1776. 

May. — As the small-pox is in many parts of the town 
amonff both the inhabitants and soldiers, I was advised 
by my friends to have recourse to inoculation for my own 
safety, though contrary to general orders. I was accord- 
ingly inoculated by my friend Dr. John Homans, and have 
passed through the disease in the most favorable manner, 
not suffering one day's confinement. 

June ISth. — The harbor of Boston has not been entirely 
cleared of British shipping since the town was evacuated. 
A fifty-gun ship and several other vessels still occupy the 
the lower harbor, near Nantasket. A number of provin- 
cial troops and volunteers are now ordered on an expedi- 
tion, under command of General Benjamin Lincoln, with 
heavy cannon, for the purpose of driving them from the 
harbor. A part -of our regiment being ordered on the 
expedition, we embarked at^ the Long Wharf, and landed 
on Long Island, and immediately made arrangements for 
a cannonade. A few shot soon convinced the commodore 
of his danger; he returned the fire with some spirit; but 
having received a shot through his upper works, he soon 
got under sail and hastily departed. Thus is the port of 
Boston again opened by our own authority, after being 
closed during two years by virtue of an act of the British 
Parliament. 

20th. — The removal of the British armed vessels from 
Nantasket has been productive of very favorable conse- 
quences. Three days after their departure two transports 
from Scotland bound to Boston, unapprised of the event, 
entered Nantasket road, and were accosted by a discharge 
of cannon from an American battery before they were 
undeceived. In this situation it was impossible for them 
to escape, and several of our privateers made their appear- 
ance, and commanded them to strike their flag. This be- 
ing refused, a smart action ensued, and continued about an 
hour and a half, when they were obliged to yield and strike 
to the privateers. On board the transports Major Menzies 
and eight others were killed, and seventeen wounded. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Campbell, two hundred and 
sixty-seven Highlanders, and forty-eight others, were made 
prisoners. Major Menzies has been buried here with the 
honors of war. 

July 3d — Orders are given to inoculate for the small- 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776. 45 

pox, all the soldiers and inhabitants in town, as a general 
infection of this terrible disease is apprehended. Dr. 
Townsend and myself are now constantly engaged in this 
business. 

Vlth. — Melancholy accounts have been received respect- 
ing the situation of our army in Canada; they are sub- 
jected to very great hardships, sufferings, and privations. 
Destitute of the necessary supplies of provisions and stores, 
exhausted by fatigue, and reduced by sickness, with the 
small-pox attended by unexampled mortality, they are in 
a state but little short of desperation. In addition to all 
their sufferings, they now have to deplore the loss of their 
valuable commander, Major -General John Thomas. This 
gentleman was a native of Kingston, Massachusetts. He 
was in military service in former wars against the French 
and Indians, where he acquired a high degree of reputa- 
tion. He was among the first to espouse the cause of his 
country in a military character in 1775, and during the 
siege of Boston, and on the heights of Dorchester, he was 
distinguished as an active, vigilant and brave officer. In 
March, 1776, he was promoted by Congress from a brig- 
adier to the rank of major-general, and by them appointed 
to command our forces in Canada. On his arrival there 
he found innumerable difficulties to encounter; the small- 
pox frequently breaking out among the troops, and the 
soldiers being in the practice of inoculating themselves, to 
the great injury of the public service. The general deemed 
it necessary, for the safety of the army, to prohibit the 
practice of inoculating, and not excepting himself from 
the injunction, he unfortunately received the infection, 
which proved fatal to him, and deprived the public of a 
valuable general officer. He was held in universal respect 
and confidence as a military character, and his death is 
deeply deplored throughout the army. 

The very important intelligence from Philadelphia is 
now proclaimed, that on the 4th instant, the American 
Congress declared the thirteen United Colonies, '■'■ Free, 
Sovereign, Independent States.'" The subject has for some 
time agitated the public mind, and various opinions have 
been entertained relative to this momentous transaction. 
Opinions of much weight and authority have been and 
still are in collision, and it has been considered very 



46 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1776. 

doubtful wlietlier the grand object would be accomplished 
at the present time. Objections, however, have yielded 
to imperious necessity, and a new epoch for United 
America has now commenced. We are now, in the 16th 
year of the reign of his Majesty King George the Third, 
absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and all 
political connexion between us, as subjects, and his gov- 
ernment is totally and for ever dissolved, unless indeed 
Providence shall so order, that we shall be again reduced 
to a state of dependence and vassalage. 

18^A. — This day the declaration of American Independ- 
ence has been proclaimed in form from the balcony of the 
state-house in this town. On this most joyful occasion 
Colonels Whitcomb and Sargeant's regiments were pa- 
raded under arms in King street; and also a detachment 
from the Massachusetts regiment of artillery with two field- 
pieces. A number of the members of our council and 
house of representatives, the magistrates, clergymen, se- 
lectmen, and a large number of other gentlemen of Boston, 
and of the neighboring towns, assembled in the council- 
chamber. At one o'clock the declaration was proclaimed 
by Colonel Thomas Crafts, and was received with great 
joy. Three huzzas from the concourse of people were 
given, after which thirteen pieces of cannon were fired 
from Fort hill and from Dorchester neck, the Castle, Nan- 
tasket, &c. The detachment of artillery in King street, 
discharged their cannon thirteen times; which was fol- 
lowed by the two regiments in thirteen separate divisions; 
all corresponding to the number of the American United 
States ; alter which, the gentlemen in the council chamber 
partook of a collation, and a number of appropriate toasts 
were proclaimed by the president of the council. 

This highly important transaction of our Congress is the 
theme of every circle and topic of universal discussion, 
and it receives the sanction and approbation of a lairge 
majority of the community. When we reflect on the de- 
ranged condition of our army, the great deficiency of our 
resources, and the little prospect of foreign assistance, and 
at the same time contemplate the prodigious powers and 
resources of our enemy, we may view this measure of 
Congress as a prodigy. The history of the world cannot 
fui-uish an instance of fortitude and heroic magnanimity 



MILITARY JOUEXAL, 1776. 47 

parallel to that displayed by the members, whose signa- 
tures are affixed to the declaration of American Independ- 
ence. Their venerated names will ornament the brightest 
pages of American history, and be transmitted to the latest 
generations. The instrument was signed by John Han- 
cock, Esq. as President, and by fifty-four others, delegates 
from the thirteen United States. The Congress have in 
their declaration recited the grievances and oppressions, 
for which we could not obtain redress; and proclaimed 
to the world the causes which impelled them to a separa- 
tion from the crown of Great Britain. A sensible and 
popular writer, in a production entitled " Common Hense^ 
argues the necessity of the measure from the following 
considerations. "We had no credit abroad because of 
our rehellious dejiendency. Our ships could obtain no pro- 
tection in foreign ports, because we afforded them no j ust- 
ifiable reason for granting it to us. The calling of ourselves 
subjects, and at the same time fighting against the prince 
we acknowledge, was a dangerous precedent to all Europe. 
If the grievances justified our taking up arms, they justi- 
fied our separation; if they did not justify our separation, 
neither could they justify our taking arms. All Europe 
was interested in reducing us as rebels, and all Europe, or 
the greater part at least, is interested in supporting us in 
our independent state. At home our condition was still 
worse ; our currency had no foundation ; and the state of 
it would have ruined whig and tory alike. We had no 
other laws than a kind of moderated passion; no other 
civil power than an honest mob ; and no other protection 
than the temporary attachment of one man to another. 
Had independency been delayed a few months longer, 
this continent would have been plunged into irretrieva- 
ble confusion; some violent for it, some against it — all in 
the greatest cabal; the rich would have been ruined, and 
the poor destroyed. The necessity of being independent 
would have brought it on in a little time, had there been 
no rupture between Britain and America. The increasing 
importance of commerce — the weight and perplexity of 
legislation — and the enlarged state of European politics, 
would clearly have shown to the continent the impropri- 
ety of continuing subordinate ; for after the coolest reflec- 
tion on the matter, this must be allowed, 'that Britain 



48 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1776. 

was too jealous of America to govern it justly; too igno- 
rant of it to govern it well; and too distant from it to 
govern it at all.'" The author of Common Sense is Mr. 
Thomas Paine, lately from England. I am credibly in- 
formed that the following anecdote occurred on the day 
of signing the declaration. Mr. Harrison, a delegate from 
Virginia, is a large portly man — Mr, Grerry of Massachu- 
setts is slender and spare. A little time after the solemn 
transaction of signing the instrument, Mr. Harrison said 
smilingly to Mr. Grerry, "When the hanging scene comes 
to be exhibited, I shall have the advantage over you, on 
account of my size. All will be over with me in a mo- 
ment, but you will be kicking in the air half an hour after 
I am gone." 

20th. — It appears, by the public papers, that a detach- 
ment from the British army of two thousand eight hun- 
dred men, under the command of Major-General Clinton, 
Lord Cornwallis, and a fleet consisting of two line of battle 
ships, frigates, and other armed vessels, amounting to 
forty or fifty, have lately made a furious attack on the town 
of Charleston, South Carolina. Major-General Lee, who 
commands our army in that quarter, has written to Con- 
gress a particular statement of the engagement, which, he 
says, continued for twelve hours without intermission. 
The enemy was twice repulsed with great loss; and the 
Carolina tro ^ps and militia have gained the highest honor 
by their brave and intrepid conduct. Colonel Moultrie, 
in a particular manner, is deserving of the highest praise. 
But the British fleet has suffered a loss almost beyond 
example. Their ships shattered almost to total ruin, and 
one frigate of twenty-eight guns was blown up by her own 
crew. A number of ofiicers were killed and wounded, 
and the number of men is said to be one hundred and 
seventy-nine killed, and two hundred and sixty wounded. 
Not one man, who was quartered at the beginning of the 
action on the Bristol's quarter-deck, escaped being killed 
or wounded. Lord Campbell, the late governor of that 
colony, being a volunteer on board, received a mortal 
wound; and the Commodore, Sir Peter Parker, had a 
material part of his breeches torn away, and was otherwise 
wounded. The whole of the British forces displayed the 
greatest courage and bravery. In a southern newspaper 
are inserted the following lines on Sir Peter's disaster: 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1776. 49 

"If honor in the breech is lodged, 
As Hudibras hath shown, 
It may from hence be fairly judged 
Sir Peter's honor's gone." 

The English Parliament, doubting the competency of 
tlieir own -powers to subjugate the United Colonies, have 
resorted to the assistance of foreign troops to prosecute 
their sanguinary purposes. They have actually entered 
into treaty with several German princes to furnish seven- 
teen thousand men, to aid in the great work of reducing 
the Americans to the same degraded state of vassalage 
with these hirelings themselves. The terms stipulated in 
the treaties are, that besides the wagee to be paid these 
foreigners, Parliament engages to pay for every soldier 
who shall not return, thirty pounds sterling; and for every 
disabled soldier fifteen pounds sterling ! These mercenary 
troops, it is said in England, are to " assist iri forcing the 
rebels to ask mercy." It has been asserted in the House 
of Lords, that the expense to England for these foreign 
troops cannot be less than one million five hundred thou- 
sand pounds for one year! There is now the clearest 
evidence, that the British ministry are wofully disappointed 
in their expectations respecting the spirit and temper of _ 
the American people. They had entertained no idea that ' 
the colonists would proceed to such daring enormity as to 
spurn their mighty power and authority. They appear 
now determined by their augmented forces to crush at a 
blow all opposition to their mandates, and to coerce the 
rebels into a sense of duty to their king. It is estimated 
that a force exceeding forty thousand men is to be em- 
ployed in America the present year. His majesty has 
appointed the two brothers, Lord Howe and General 
Howe, commissioners for restoring peace to the colonies, 
and for granting pardon to such of his majesty's subjects, 
now in rebellion, as shall deserve the royal clemency. 
Besides the two commissioners, they are about to send on 
the same service a combination of Hessians, Br^nswickers, 
Waldeckers, English, Scotch, and Irish. The Scots may 
perhaps come prepared with the following advice : 

"O learn from our example and our fate, 
Learn wisdom and repentance ere too late." 

The following transaction is now a subject of newspaper 



50 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 17T6. 

discussion and of general conversation. Admiral Lord 
Howe arrived off the city of New York, not long since, 
to take the command of the British fleet; on his arrival 
he proclaimed to the public that he and his brother Gen- 
eral Howe were appointed his majesty's commissioners, 
with full powers to grant pardons to all or to any town, 
county, or district, who may have departed from their 
allegiance and duty to his majesty, &c., and who are willing 
by a speedy return to reap the benefit of the royal favor. 
These royal commissioners despatched Colonel Patterson, 
adjutant-general of the British army, to General Wash- 
ington, at New York, with letters respecting their mission ; 
but as the letters were not directed in a manner expressive 
of his official station, his excellency refused to receive 
them ; but treated Colonel Patterson with much politeness, 
and dismissed him. The conduct of General Washington 
in this interview received the approbation of Congress, 
and they resolved, "that lie had acted with a dignity be- 
coming his character." They further resolved, "that no 
letters or messages be received on any occasion whatever 
from the enemy, by the commander-in-chief or others, the 
commanders of the American army, but such as shall be 
directed to them in the characters they respectively sus- 
tain." It was not many days after this that Colonel Pat- 
terson again waited on General Washington, and on this 
occasion he addressed him by the title of excellency ; and 
in the name of the commissioners apologized for any de- 
ficiency in point of respect or punctilio, and assured him 
that they had the highest personal respect for General 
Washington, and did not mean to derogate from his rank; 
that the letter, of which he was now the bearer from the 
commissioners, was directed to George Washington, Esq., 
&c. &c. &c., which they hoped would remove all difficulties; 
as the three et ceteras might be understood to imply every 
thing that ought to follow. To this the general replied, 
that though it was true the three et ceteras might mean 
every thing, it was also true they might mean any thing, 
and as Congress had approved of his conduct in the first 
interview, he could not enter into any new treaty without 
fresh authority, and declined receiving the letter; adding 
that he should absolutely decline any letter directed to 
him as a private person, when it related to his public sta- 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 177G. 51 

tion. Colonel Patterson said, Lord and General Howe 
were invested with exceedingly great powers, and were 
very desirous of being the medium of an accommodation 
of difficulties. The general replied, he had read the act 
of Parliament, and found they were merely empowered 
to grant pardons. The Americans had committed no 
wrong, and therefore wanted no pardons; we were only 
defending what we deemed our indisputable rights. Colo- 
nel Patterson seemed confused, and replied that this would 
open a wide field for argument. The adjutant-general 
conducted with the greatest attention and politeness; and 
manifested great solicitude that the letter might be re- 
ceived, and that the interview might be productive of 
favoralDle results. He expressed strong acknowledgments 
for the favor done him, in omitting the usual ceremony of 
blinding his eyes, when passing our works. General 
Washington invited him to partake of a collation provided 
for him, and he was introduced to our general officers. 
After many compliments and polite expressions, he de- 
parted with saying, "Has your excellency no commands 
to my Lord or General Howe?" "None, sir," replied the 
general, "but my particular compliments to both of them." 

This event furnishes an irrefragable testimony of the 
manly firmness of mind and dignity of conduct of our 
commander-in-chief; and is calculated to impress the Eng- 
lish commanders with a just sense of his exalted merit 
and character. 

August 1st. — The continental army, under the immediate 
command of General Washington, is stationed at New 
York; and it is expected that the British army, under 
command of General Howe, will endeavor to take posses- 
sion of that city the present season, 

bth. — Colonel Whitcomb's regiment, consisting of five 
hundred men, has now gone through the small-pox in this 
town by inoculation, and all, except one negro, have 
recovered. 

1th. — This regiment, with Colonel Sargeant's, are pre- 
paring to march to Ticonderoga. A number of teams are 
procured to transport the baggage and stores, and this 
morning, at seven o'clock, they marched out of town Avith 
colors displayed and drums beating. Being myself indis- 
posed, I am permitted to tarry in town till my health is 



52 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1776. 

restored, and in the mean time I am directed to take 
charge of the sick soldiers that remain here. 

20th. — Having recovered my health, and being prepared 
to follow our regiment, T am this day to bid adieu to the 
town of Boston, where I have resided very pleasantly for 
the last five months. I am destined to a distant part of 
our country, and know not what suffering and hazards I 
shall be called to encounter, while in the discharge of my 
military duty. I shall commence my journey in company 
with Lieutenant Whiting and fourteen men who were left 
here as invalids. 

September. — We took our route through Worcester, 
Springfield, Charlestown, in New Hampshire, and over 
the Green Mountains to Skeensboro'; which is the place 
of rendezvous for the continental troops and militia des- 
tined to Ticonderoga. Here boats are provided at the 
entrance of Lake Champlain, which are continually passing 
to and from this place. We embarked on the 6th instant, 
and with good oarsmen and sails we arrived the same day, 
and joined our regiment here, a distance of thirty miles. 
While on our march, we received alarming reports re- 
specting some military operations between our army, 
commanded by General Washington, and the British, 
under command of General Howe, on Long Island, near 
New York. The report states that our army has suffered 
a complete defeat with great loss, and that two of our 
general officers are taken prisoners. The inhabitants 
through the country are in great alarm; but have not ob- 
tained the particulars ; as the account at present is vague, 
and somewhat contradictor}^, we hope and trust that a 
particular detail will prove the event to be more favorable 
to our cause. 

Soon after my arrival here, a soldier had the impru- 
dence to seize a rattlesnake by its tail; the reptile threw 
its head back and struck its fangs into the man's hand. 
In a few moments a swelling commenced, attended with 
severe pain. It was not more than half an hour, when 
his whole arm to his shoulder was swollen to twice its 
natural size, and the skin became of a deep orange color. 
His bod}', on one side, soon became affected in a similar 
manner, and a nausea at his stomach ensued. The poor 
man was greatly and justly alarmed; his situation was very 



MlLITAPvY JODENAL, 1776. 53 

critical. Two medical men, beside mj'self, were in close 
attendance for several hours. Having procured a quantity 
of olive oil, we directed the patient to swallow it in large 
and repeated doses, till he had taken one quart; and at 
the same time we rubbed into the affected liml) a very large 
quantity of mercurial ointment. In about two hours we 
had the satisfaction to perceive the favorable effects of the 
remedies. The alarming symptoms abated, the swelling 
and pain gradually subsided, and in about forty-eight hours 
he was happily restored to health. 

IQth. — I have omitted to record the following incidents, 
till I could ascertain the particulars of the reports. 

We learn by accounts from New York that, some time 
since, a plot of a most atrocious nature was detected in that 
city. A gang of tories had associated for the purpose of 
joining the British army; and had concerted a plan, it is 
said, to assassinate his Excellency General Washington 
and some other officers ; and while our army were engaged 
with the enemy, to blow up our magazines, &;c. The 
mayor of the city, and an armorer who was employed in 
making rifles for the tories, and several others, were taken 
into custody, and committed to close prison. The mayor, 
on examination, confessed that he received money from 
Governor Tr3^on to pay the armorer for the rifles. Two 
of his excellency's guards were confederate; and a third, 
to wliom the secret was confided, honestly disclosed the 
information. Several of these miscreants were tried and 
convicted, and two or three were executed. Another vile 
plot has been discovered in the city of Albany. By the 
confession of two tories, the plan was to set the city on 
fire, and to blow up the magazine. Some of the incendia- 
ries were apprehended, and the meditated plot frustrated. 
We have now ample evidence, that the tories are the most 
virulent and implacable of our enemies ; and it is to be 
considered as a remarkable interposition of Providence, 
that their vile machinations are so frequently defeated. 
Internal secret enemies are always more dangerous than 
avowed foes in the field; and so numerous and active are 
the tories in the vicinity of our main army, that it has been 
found necessary to adopt coercive measures, and to compel 
them to take the oath of allegiance, as prescribed by our 
Coiigress, or to depart from our territories. 



54- MILITAEY JODKNAL, 1776. 

12th. — I must not omit to notice another instance of 
villany in a German by the name of Ledwitz. By his 
solicitation he was appointed lieutenant-colonel in our army, 
and he has been detected in a traitorous correspondence 
with Governor Tryon of New York. He entrusted his 
letter to one Steen, an honest German, to be conveyed to 
New York; but he considered it his duty to expose the 
perfidy, and delivered it to General Washington. In his 
letter he first presents his compliments in a formal manner 
to Lord Howe, and then proceeds to profess a conscious- 
ness that the world will censure him for his treacherj^, in 
corresponding with the enemy of those in whose service 
he is employed, but apologizes b}'' asserting that he had 
been forced to accept his commission, for fear of ruin to 
himself and family; and as he had engaged, through com- 
pulsion, by a rebellious mob, he can be under no obligation 
to be faithful in their service. Besides this, he adds, he 
had previously taken Governor Tryon's advice, and had 
promised to do all he could in his new capacity for his 
majesty's service. He then asserts that a person who is a 
friend to the king, though an interested one, had offered 
to furnish him with weekly returns of the strength and 
detail of the continental army, for the sum of four thou- 
sand pounds sterling, to be paid in advance in gold; but 
that he had agreed with him to render that service for two 
thousand pounds, which sum, he requested, might be im- 
mediatel}^ conveyed to him. By this criminal act the per- 
fidious wretch had forfeited his life, according to the articles 
of war; but on his trial by a court martial, his life Avas 
saved by the casting vote of a militia officer, who pretended 
some scruples of conscience; he was, however, cashiered, 
and declared incapable of holding any military office in 
the service of the United States. 

15/A. — I have now ascertained, by accounts published, 
that the battle on Long Island took place on the 27th of 
August. The British and Hessian army, supposed to 
amount to twenty-four thousand, landed on the island 
under cover of their shipping. The continental army con- 
sisted of ten thousand five hundred and fourteen effectives 
only; and these were so situated, that but a small part 
could be brought into action; the conflict therefore was 
extremely unequal. In point of numbers, of discipline, 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1776. 55 

experience in war, and of artillery, the enemy possessed 
the most decided advantage; besides the important assist- 
ance afforded by a powerful fleet. The very judicious 
plan of attack by the British generals was carried into 
execution with irresistible ardor and impetuosity. The 
Americans defended themselves with great bravery, till a 
considerable number of them were completely surrounded 
and the remainder dispersed. The palm of victory Avas on 
the side of the enemy; and our loss is very considerable. 
Major-General Sullivan and Lord Stirling were obliged to 
surrender as prisoners; and our total loss is supposed to be 
not less than one thousand or twelve hundred in killed, 
wounded, and missing. The enemy suffered'very severely. 

After this unfortunate skirmishing, our army retreated 
within their lines at Brooklyn, and were exposed to the 
greatest hazard ; our troops, fatigued and discouraged by 
defeat, a superior enemy in their front, and a powerful 
fleet about to enter the East River with a view of effectu- 
ally cutting off their retreat; but an interposition of 
Providence, and the wisdom and vigilance of the com- 
mander-in-chief, preserved our army from destruction. 
Having resolved to withdraw his army from its hazardous 
position. General Washington crossed over to the island 
in the night of the 29th of August, and personally con- 
ducted the retreat in so successful a manner, under the 
most embarrassing circumstances, that it is considered as 
a remarkable example of good generalship. A circum- 
stance which is remarked as manifestly providential, is, 
that a thick fog enveloped the whole of Long Island in 
obscurity about two o'clock in the morning, while on the 
side of the enemy at New York, the atmosphere was per- 
fectly clear. Thus by a providential interposition of an 
unusual fog, our army, consisting of nine thousand men, 
in one night embarked under great disadvantages, and 
with their baggage, provisions, stores, horses, and the mu- 
nitions of war, crossed a river, a mile or more wide, and 
landed at New York undiscovered and without material 
loss. The enemy were so near, that they were heard at 
work with their pick-axes, and in about half an hour after, 
the fog cleared off and the enemy were seen taking pos- 
session of the American lines. 

20th. — General Washington, finding the city of New 



5g MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1776. 

York untenable, lias removed bis wbole army about nine 
miles up the country; which he effected in safety, though 
uuder a heavy cannonade from the British shipping. — 
General Howe with his army took immediate possession 
of the city. Major-General Sullivan, who was captured 
on Long Island, has been permitted to return on his parole ; 
and is charged with a message to Congress from Lord 
Howe. The purport of tlie message is, that his lordship, 
as commissioner, could not treat with Congress, as such ; 
but is desirous of a conference with some of the members, 
as private gentlemen. Congress could not consider them- 
selves justified in sending any of their members in their 
private character; but ever desirous of establishing peace 
on reasonable terms, offered to send a committee to in- 
quire whether his lordship had any authority to treat with 
persons authorized by Congress for this purpose, and what 
that authority was, and to hear such propositions as he 
should think proper to make respecting the same. They 
accordingly made choice of Dr. Benjamin Franklin, John 
Adams, Esq. and Edward Rutledge, Esq., who had an inter- 
view with Lord flowe on Staten Island. The first propo- 
sition from his lordship was, that the colonies should return 
to their allegiance and obedience to the government of 
Great Britain. The committee expressed their opinion, 
that a return to the domination of Great Britian was not 
to be expected. They mentioned the repeated humble 
petitions of the colonies to the king and parliament, which 
had been treated with contempt, and answered with addi- 
tional injuries; the unexampled patience we had shown un- 
der their tyrannical government, and that it was not till the 
last act of Parliament, which denounced war against us, and 
put us out of the king's protection, that we declared our 
independence ; and that it is not now in the poiuer of Con- 
gress to agree that the people should return to their former de- 
pendent state. The committee reported to Congress that 
it did not appear that his lordship's commission contained 
any other authority of importance than what is expressed . 
in the act of Parliament, namely, that of granting par- 
dons, with such exceptions as the commissoners shall think 
proper to make, and of declaring America, or any part of 
it, to be in the king's peace on submission. The commit- 
tee conducted the business with great j udgment, and in a 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1770. 57 

manner becoming the dignity of tlieir character. The 
Congress adopted no other measures on this occasion ; and 
the British commissioners, finding that the United States 
Could not relinquish their independency, published their 
declaration to the people at large, recommending to them 
"to reflect seriously on their present conduct and expect- 
ations, and to judge for themselves, whether it is more 
consistent with their honor and happiness to offer up their 
lives as a sacrifice to the unjust and precarious cause in 
which they are engaged, or to return to their allegiance, 
accept the blessings of peace, and be secured in the free 
enjoyment of their liberties and property." Had the de- 
claration of independence been deferred but a few weeks 
longer, this proceeding of the commissioners might have 
been productive of consequences exceedingly disastrous 
to our country. It would probably have increased the 
number of opposers to the measure, and occasioned the 
greatest confusion and embarrassment. It was undoubted- 
ly their object, by a specious prospect of reconciliation, to 
create a division among the colonies and people, and there- 
by paralyze their exertions and preparations for war. But 
at the present time, the declaration of the king's commis- 
sioners is not calculated to effect the great purpose which 
they have in view; the people at large have become too 
wise to be duped and cajoled out of their freedom. They 
repose unbounded confidence in the wisdom of the Con- 
gress of their choice ; and have no disposition to counter- 
act their views or embarrass their counsels. The number 
of individuals, who have accepted of the proffered condi- 
tions, is supposed to be very inconsiderable; and by far 
the largest portion of them are in the city of New York 
and its immediate vicinity. By a flag from New York 
we learn that, about five days after the British army took 
possession of that city, a destructive fire broke out, and 
raged with such violence, that about one thousand houses, 
some of the most superb buildings, being about one-quar- 
ter of the whole city, were consumed. Some suspicions 
were entertained that this disaster was occasioned by 
American emissaries, and several persons had been treated 
with great cruelty, though no proof was produced against 
them. There is on the contrary much reason to conclude 
that the conflagration was merely accidental. 



58 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776. 

We have the information that, before our army evacu- 
ated the city of New York, General Howe's army landed, 
under cover of five ships of war, the British and Hessians 
m two separate divisions. So soon as this was announced 
to our commander-in-chief, by a heavy cannonade from 
the men of war, he instantly rode toward our lines; but 
he was astonished and mortified to find that the troops 
which had been posted there, and also two brigades which 
had been ordered to support them, were retreating in great 
confusion and disorder. He made every effort to rally 
them, but without success; they were so panic-struck that 
even the shadow of an enemy seemed to increase their 
precipitate flight. His excellency, distressed and enraged, 
drew his sword and snap]3ed his pistols, to check them; 
but they continued their flight without firing a gun ; and 
the general, regardless of his own safety, was in so much 
hazard, that one of his attendants seized the reins, and 
gave his horse a different direction. The following fact 
is of considerable interest: 

When retreating from New York, Major-General Put- 
nam, at the head of three thousand five hundred conti- 
nental troops, was in the rear, and the last that left the city. 
In order to avoid any of the enemy that might be advan- 
cing in the direct road to the city, he made choice of a 
road parallel with and contiguous to the North River, till 
he could arrive at a certain angle, whence another road 
would conduct him in such a direction as that he might 
form a junction with our army. It so happened that a 
body of about eight thousand British and Hessians were 
at the same moment advancing on the road, which would 
have brought them in immediate contact with General 
Putnam, before he could have reached the turn into the 
other road. Most fortunately, the British generals, seeing 
no prospect of engaging our troops, halted their own, and 
repaired to the house of a Mr. Robert Murray, a Quaker 
and friend of our caijse; Mrs. Murray treated them with 
cake and wine, and they were induced to tarry two hours 
or more, Governor Tryon frequently joking her about her 
American friends. By this happy'incident General Put- 
nam, by continuing his march, escaped a rencounter with 
a greatly superior force, which must have proved fatal to 
his whole .party. One half-hour, it is said, would have 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 17T6. 59 

been sufficient for the enemy to have secured the road at 
the turn, and entirely cut off General Putnam's retreat. 
It has since become almost a common saying among our 
officers, that Mrs. Murray saved this part of the Ameri- 
can army. 

I have collected from the preceding pages of my Journal 
some observations relative to the formation and character 
of our army. After the battl^^at Lexington, such was the 
enthusiasm for the cause Oi liberty, and so general and 
extensive the alarm, that thousands of our citizens, who 
were engaged in the cultivation of their farms, spontane- 
ously rushed to the scene of action; and an army was 
assembled almost without the efforts of public authority. 
At this most eventful period, it was the fond hope of a 
large proportion of our patriotic leaders, that the contro- 
versy with our parent-country would yet be compromised 
on honorable and equitable terms. Though the haughty 
Britons had unsheathed the sword, and shed the blood of 
their brethren, it was impossible to endure the idea that 
our loyal and humble supplications to the king could any 
longer be contemptuously rejected; more especially after 
a complete union of all the colonies in a determined oppo- 
sition to their tyrannical measures was clearly dernon- 
strated. Calculating therefore that the services of an army 
would be required for a short period only, and the troops 
in the field consisting chiefly of minute-men, volunteers 
and militia, it was a considerable time before they were 
regularly organized into regiments and brigades. In many 
instances the soldiers were indulged the privilege of choos- 
ing their own officers; the consequence was, as might be 
expected, that the choice did not fall on the most respect- 
able and meritorious, but on those who were the most 
popular among the lower class; and these too frequently 
proved unqualified to discharge their military duties in a 
manner creditable to themselves or advantageous to the 
public service. Nor was it to be expected that this de- 
scription of people could appreciate the importance of the 
great desiderata in all armies, discipline and subordination. 
It has been found, by sad experience, that but little depend- 
ence can be placed on an army of militia, and those whose 
term of service is so short that they are almost continually 
fluctuating from camp to their farms, and in whom the 



50 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776. 

noble spirit of patriotism is in a considerable degree ex- 
tinguished. There is another evil of a very serious com- 
plexion which has manifested itself in our camp. Since 
the troops from the Southern states have been incorporated 
and associated in military duty with those from New Eng- 
land, a strong prejudice has assumed its unhappy influence, 
and drawn a line of distinction between them. Many of 
the officers from the South are gentlemen of education, 
and unaccustomed to that equality which prevails in New 
England; and, however desirable, it could scarcely be 
expected that people from distant colonies, differing in 
manners and prejudices, could at once harmonize in friendly 
intercourse. Hence we too frequently hear the burlesque 
epithet of Yankee from one party, and that of Buck-skin, 
by way of retort, from the other. . The troops which com- 
pose the continental army being enlisted for a few months 
only, their time of service will soon expire. Congress, 
being apprised of the absolute necessity of a permanent 
army, have lately resolved, "to raise a standing army to 
consist of about seventy-five thousand men, to serve for 
the term of three years, or during the war." These troops, 
when raised, are to be systematically arranged on the con- 
tinental establishment, and according to their apportion- 
ment, the quota of Massachusetts is fifteen battalions, or 
about twelve thousand men. To encourage enlistments, 
each soldier is to receive a bounty of twenty dollars, besides 
his wages and allowance of rations, and one hundred acres 
of land, if he serve during the war. The officers are to 
receive land in proportion to their respective ranks, from 
two hundred to five hundred acres. Their monthly pay 
is to be as follows: 



Colonel, a month, $75 00 

Lieutenant-Colonel, 60 00 

Mtijor, 50 00 

Chaplain, 33 33 

Surgeon, 33 33 

Surgeon's-Mate, 18 00 

Adjutant, 40 00 

Quaiter-Masler, 27 50 

Regimental Pay-Master, 26 67 

Captain, 40 00 



Lieutenant, 1 $27 00 

Ensign, 20 00 

Sergeant-Major, 9 00 

Quarter-Master Sergeant, 9 00 

Drum-Major, 8 00 

Fife-Major, 8 33 

Seigeant, 8 00 

Corporal, 7 33 

Drummer and Fifer, 7 33 

Privates, 6 07 



Each commissioned officer is allowed the privilege of 
taking a soldier from the ranks for a waiter, and he is ex- 
empted from camp and other duty, except in time of action. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 61 

The officers are also allowed a number of rations in pro- 
portion to their rank. A surgeon draws three, and a mate 
two rations. One pound of beef or pork; one pound of 
bread or flour a day ; a small quantity of vegetables, when 
to be had; one gill of rum or whiskey a day; a small 
quantity of vinegar, salt, soap and candles, a week, con- 
stitute a ration. 

Ticonderoga is situated on an angle of land forming the 
western shore of Lake Cham plain ; or rather what is called 
South Bay; being the inlet into the lake. It is about 
twelve miles south of the old fortress at Crown Point; and 
about one hundred and ten miles north of Albany. This 
point of land is surrounded on three sides by water, and 
on the north-west side it is well defended by the old French 
lines and several block-houses. The works at this place 
were originally erected by the French, in 1756, and the 
post was considered of high importance by both the French 
and English, as commanding the pass direct from Canada 
to the provinces of New York and New England. In the 
war between the English and French, in the year 1759, it 
was surrendered to General Amherst, which was a prelude 
to the conquest of Canada by the English and Provincial 
army. In 1775, after the commencement of hostilities at 
Lexington, this post was taken from the English, by a 
small party of militia volunteers under command of Colo- 
nel Allen and Colonel Arnold, which put the Provincials 
in possession of a large number of cannon, mortars and 
other ordnance; a part of which was transported to Cam- 
bridge during the siege of Boston. On the east side of 
South Bay, directly opposite to Ticonderoga, is a high 
circular hill, on the summit of which our army has erected 
a strong fort, within which is a square of barracks. This 
is called Mount Independence. A communication is main- 
tained between the two places by a floating bridge thrown 
across the lake, which is about four hundred yards wide. 
The army stationed at this post at present is supposed to 
consist of about eight or ten thousand men, and Major- 
General Gates is commander-in-chief We have a naval 
armament on Lake Champlain, below this garrison, which 
is commanded by the intrepid General Arnold; General 
Waterbury is second in command. The British have also 
a naval armament, of superior force, at the head of which 



g2 MTLTTAEY JOUENAL, 1776. 

is the celebrated Sir Guy Carleton. Preparations are 
making on both sides for a vigorous combat to decide 
which power shall have dominion on the lake Should 
Sir Guy Carleton be able to defeat our fleet, it is supposed 
that he will pursue his victorious career by an attempt to 
possess himself of this garrison ; and our troops are making 
the utmost exertion to put our works in the best possible 
state of defence. Each regiment has its alarm-post assign- 
ed, and they are ordered to repair to it, and to man the 
lines at day-light every morning. Among our defensive 
weapons are poles, about twelve feet long, armed with 
sharp iron points, which each soldier is to employ against 
the assailants when mounting the breastworks. We are 
happy to learn from head-quarters that the two continental 
generals, taken in the action on Long Island, Lord Stirling 
and Major-General Sullivan, have returned to our camp; 
being exchanged for General Prescott, captured in Canada, 
and Governor Brown, who was brought off from New 
Providence by one of our armed vessels. 

October. — By some gentlemen from head-quarters, near 
New York, we are amused with an account of a singular 
machine, invented by a Mr. D. Bushnell of Connecticut, 
for the purpose of destroying the British shipping by 
explosion. This novel machine was so ingeniously con- 
structed, that, on examination, Major-General Putnam 
was decidedly of opinion that its operation^ might be 
attended with the desired success ; accordingly he encour- 
aged the inventor, and resolved to be himself a spectator 
of the experiment on the British shipping in New York 
harbor. Mr. Bushnell gave to his machine the name of 
American Turtle or Torpedo. It was constructed on the 
principles of submarine navigation, and on trial it has been 
ascertained that it might be rowed horizontally, at any 
given depth under water, and the adventurer, concealed 
within, might rise or sink, as occasion requires. A mag- 
azine o'i 'poioder was attached to it in such a manner as to 
be screwed into the bottom of the ship ; and being now 
disengaged from the machine, the operator retires in safety, 
leaving the internal clock-work in motion; and at the 
distance of half an hour, or an hour, the striking of a gun 
lock communicates fire to the powder, and the explosion 
takes place. It was determined to make the experiment 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1776. 63 

with this machine in tlie night, on the ship Eagle, of sixty- 
four guns, on board of which admiral Lord Howe com- 
manded. General Putnam placed himself on the wharf to 
witness the result. Mr. Bushnell had instructed his brother 
in the management of the Torpedo with perfect dexterity; 
but being taken sick, a sergeant of a Connecticut regiment 
was selected for the business, who, for want of time, could 
not be properly instructed. He, however, succeeded so 
far as to arrive in safety with his apparatus under the 
bottom of the ship, when the screw, designed to perforate 
the copper sheathing, unfortunately struck against an iron 
plate, near the rudder, which, with the strong current and 
want of skill in the operator, frustrated the enter^^rise; 
and, as day-light had begun to appear, the sergeant aban- 
doned his magazine, and returned in the Torpedo to the 
shore. In less than half an hour a terrible explosion from 
the magazine took place, and threw into the air a prodi- 
gious column of water, resembling a great water-spout, 
attended with a report like thunder. General Putnam 
and others, who waited with great anxiety for the result, 
were exceedingly amused with the astonishment and 
alarm which this secret explosion occasioned on board of 
the ship. This ftiilure, it is confidently asserted, is not to 
be attributed to any defect in the principles of this won- 
derful machine; as it is allowed to be admirably calculated 
to execute destruction among the shipping. 

lO^A. — By intelligence from our fleet, on the lake, we 
are in daily expectation of a decisive naval action, as the 
British are known to have a superior force; our officers, 
here, I understand, are full of anxiety respecting the im- 
portant event.' Great confidence is reposed in the judg- 
ment and bravery of General Arnold, whom General Gates 
has appointed to command our fleet. 

loth. — I have now to record an account of a naval en- 
gngement between the two fleets on Lake Champlain, 
The British, under command of Sir Guy Carleton, advanced 
on the 11th instant, and found our fleet in a line of battle 
prepared for the attack. A waim action soon ensued, and 
became extremely close and severe, with round and grape 
shot, which continued about four hours, Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Waterbury, in the Washington galley, fought with 
undaunted bravery, till nearly all his ofiicers were killed 



64 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1776, 

and wounded, and liis vessel greatly injured ; when Gen- 
eral Arnold ordered the remaining shattered vessels to 
retire up the lake, towards Crown Point, in order to refit. 
On the 13th, they were overtaken by the enemy, and the 
action was renewed, in which was displayed the greatest 
intrepidity on both sides. The Washington galle}^, being 
crippled in the first action, was soon obliged to strike and 
surrender. General Arnold conducted during the action 
with great judgment, firmness and gallantry, obstinately 
defending himself against a superior force, both in num- 
bers and weight of metal. At length, however, he was so 
closely pressed that his situation became desperate, and he 
run his own vessel, the Congress galley, on shore, which 
with five gondolas were abandoned and blown up. Out 
of sixteen of our vessels, eleven were taken or destroyed, 
five only arrived safe at this place. Two of the enemy's 
gondolas were sunk by our fleet, and one blown up with 
sixty men. Their loss in men is supposed to be equal to 
our own, which is estimated at about one hundred. A 
large number of troops were on board the British fleet, 
consisting of regulars, Canadians and savages, which have 
been landed on each side of the lake, and it is now expected 
that Sir Guy Carleton, at the head of his army, reported 
to be about ten thousand strong, will soon invest this post. 
By order of General Gates, our commander, the greatest 
exertions are constantly making, by strengthening our 
works, to enable us to give them a warm reception ; and 
our soldiery express a strong desire to have an opportunity 
of displaying their courage and prowess; both officers and 
men are full of activity and vigilance. 

18th. — It is now ascertained that the British army and 
fleet have established themselves at Crown Point, and are 
strengthening the old fortifications at that place. Some 
of their vessels have approached within a few miles of our 
garrison, and one boat came within cannon-shot distance 
of our lower battery, in order to reconnoitre and sound 
the channel ; but a few sh^f having killed two men, and 
wounded another, soon obliged her to retire. All our 
troops are ordered to repair to their alarm posts, and man 
the lines and works ; every morning, our continental colors 
are advantageously displayed on the ramparts, and our 
cannon and spears are in readiness for action. 



MILITARY JOUKXAL, 1776. 65 

20lh. — Ever since the defeat of our fleet we have been 

Eroviclentially favored with a strong southerly wind, which 
as prevented the enemy's advancing to attack our hues, 
and afforded us time to receive some reinforcements of 
mihtia, and to prepare for a more vigorous defence. It 
seems now to be the opinion of many of our most judicious 
officers, that had Sir Guy Carleton approached with his 
army, immediately after his victory on the lake, the strug- 
gle must have been most desperate, and the result precari- 
ous; but we now. feel more confidence in our strength. 

Several letters, lately received from Canada, acknowl- 
edge that no man ever manoeuvred with more dexterity, 
fought with more bravery, or retreated with more firmness, 
than did General Arnold on the 11th and 12th instant. 
After making every effort to compensate, by the advantage 
of situation, for the inferiority of force, and seeing his own 
vessel, and the rest, torn to pieces by the superior weight 
of metal, and the execution of the enemy's howitzers, he 
set fire to his vessel, and would not quit her till she was 
so completely in flames that it was impossible for the enemy 
to strike her colors on their arrival, and they were left 
flying among the flames to the last. This, says one of the 
letters, was supporting a point of honor in a manner al- 
most romantic; yet so it was. 

November 1st. — The enemy remain at Crown Point, and 
evince no disposition to molest our garrison, having prob- 
ably discovered that our means of defence are too formi- 
dable for them to encounter. General Gates has now 
ordered a detachment of troops to march towards Crown 
Point, to reconnoitre their position, or to attack them. 
A report was soon returned that the whole fleet and army 
have abandoned Crown Point, and retired into Canada, 
where they will probably occupy their winter-quarters in 
peace, and it is not probable that Sir Guy Carleton intends 
10 invest our garrison, at this advanced season, unless, 
however, he should attempt it by marching his army over 
the ice, when the lake is frozen, which will probably be 
very practicable. 

16th. — Ticonderoga is situated in about latitude forty- 
four degrees. I have no means in possession of ascertain- 
ing the precise degree of cold ; but we all agree that it is 
colder here than in Massachusetts at the same season. The 



(35 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776, 

earth lins not yet been covered with snow, but the frost is 
so considerable that the water of the lake is congealed, 
and the earth is frozen. We are comfortably situated in ' 
our barracks; our provisions are now good, and having 
no enemjr near enough to alarm or disturb vis, we have 
nothing of importance to engage our attention. Our 
troops are quite healthy, a few cases of rheumatism and 
pleurisy comprise our sickdist, and it is seldom that any 
fatal cases occur. 

Decejiiber 10th. — Intelligence has lately arrived at head- 
quarters here, that a British fleet, and a detachment of 
five or six thousand of the royal army have taken posses- 
sion of Newport, in Rhode Island, without any opposition; 
many of the inhabitants being friendly to the royal "cause, 
they were received as friends. By letters from officers, 
and by other information from our main army, we learn 
with sorrow that our affairs in that quarter are in a most 
deplorable and almost desperate situation. Since the 
evacuation of New York, several battles and skirmishes * 
have taken place between the two armies, with consider- 
able loss on both sides; but his excellency the commander- 
in-chief has constantly avoided a general action. Fort 
Washington and Fort Lee have fallen into the hands of 
the enemy, with a considerable number of prisoners; and 
our army being reduced to the lowest ebb, discouraged 
and dispirited, are retreating through the Jerseys, and the 
enemy in close pursuit. The continental army has even 
crossed the Delaware, and left the whole state of Jersey in 
the possession of the roj^al army. 

20th. — Another disaster of much importance is the cap- 
ture of Major-General Lee; on the 13th instant, marching 
at the head of his division to join the main army, he very 
incautiously took up his lodgings at a house three or four 
miles from his troops. Information of this was, by some 
tories, communicated to Colonel Harcourt of the British 
light-horse, who resolved to attempt his capture. Accord- 
ingly, with a detachment of dragoons, he speedily sur- 
rounded the house; made General Lee his prisoner, and 
not permitting him time to take his cloak and hat, mounted 
him on a horse, and in triumph conveyed him to New 
York. The loss of this favorite general officer, it is feared, 
will be attended with very serious consequences, as respects 



MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1776. 67 

the American cause. He was from his youth an officer in 
the British service, where he sustained a reputation of the 
highest grade, as a brave and skilful warrior. Having 
adopted our country, and become a zealous advocate for 
its liberties, he had acquired the confidence and highest 
regard of the public, and was exalted to the rank of second 
in command in our army. 

Such is now the gloomy aspect of our affairs that the 
whole country has taken the alarm ; strong apprehensions 
are entertained that the British will soon have it in their 
power to vanquish the whole of the remains of the con- 
tinental army. The term of service of a considerable 
part of our troops has nearly expired, and new recruits 
do not arrive in sufficient numbers to supply their places. 
His Excellency General Washington is continually making 
every possible effort to produce a change of circumstan- 
ces more auspicious to our country. The critical and dis- 
tressing situation in which he is placed is sufficient to 
overwhelm the powers of any man of less wisdom and 
magnanimity than our commander-in-chief He has the 
confidence and the affection of the officers and soldiers of 
the whole army; and there is not perhaps another man to 
be found so well calculated to discharge the duties of his 
important and responsible station. It is generally agreed 
by our officers that, in his retreat through the Jerseys and 
over the Delaware, under the most pressing difficulties, he 
displayed the talents and wisdom characteristic of a great 
military commander, possessing unfailing resources of 
miad. While retreating through the Jerseys with an 
army not exceeding three thousand five hundred men, 
and deeming our cause as almost desperate, he said to 
Colonel Reed, passing his hand over his throat, "My neck 
does not feel as though it was made for a halter: we must 
retire to Augusta county in Virginia, and if overpowerd 
we must pass the Alleghany mountains." General Wash- 
ington at this time was suffering the most agonizing dis- 
tress for the fate of his army and his country. 

The king's commissioners, flushed with the success of the 
royal army, have availed themselves of the occasion, and put 
forth another proclamation, granting pardons to all those 
who shall within sixty days subscribe a declaration to re- 
main peaceable, not to take up arms, nor encourage others 



58 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776. 

to act against the king's authority; and at the same time, 
they charge and command all who are assembled in arms 
against his ma,jesty to disband, and all under the names 
of general and Provincial Congress committees, &c. to de- 
sist from their treasonable practices, and relinquish their 
usurped power within sixty days from the date of the 
proclamation. 

This production, couched in the haughty style of royal 
authority, demands submission of those who have long 
since been compelled to abjure all allegiance to the British 
crown. How far the people of this continent may be 
disposed to retrace their steps, to abandon the government 
of their choice, relinquish their independence and succumb 
to arbitrary power, is a point to be decided within sixty 
days. IHowever apparently forlorn is our situation, we 
presume to hope that his majesty's commissioners will not 
realize their sanguine expectations, though British clem- 
ency on the one hand, and the gallows on the other, may 
be the alternative. The Congress resolved, on the 12th 
instant, that it be recommended to all the United States as 
soon as possible to appoint a day of fasting and humiliation. 
This is according to the custom of our pious ancestors in 
times of imminent dangers and difficulties. Considering 
the rapid movements of the enemy, and knowing it to be 
their intention to possess themselves of the city of Phila- 
delphia, the Congress have resolved to retire to Baltimore 
in Maryland. They have also ordered, that hand-bills be 
circulated through the states with the view of rousing the 
whole people to a sense of the impending danger, and^he 
calamities that will ensue should the enemy succeeded in 
the attempt to get possession of the capital. 

2Qth. — A singular kind of riot took place in our barracks 
last evening, attended by some unpleasant consequences. 
Colonel A. W. of Massachusetts, made choice of his two 
sons, who were soldiers in his regiment, to discharge the 
menial duties of waiters, and one of them having been 
brought up a shoe-maker, the colonel was so inconsiderate 
as to allow him to work on his bench in the same room with 
himself. The ridiculous conduct has for some time drawn 
on the good old man the contemptuous sneers of the 
gentlemen officers, especially those from Pennsylvania. 
Lieutenant-Colonel C. of Wayne's regiment, being warmed 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 69 

witli wine, took on himself the task of reprehending the 
"Yankee" colonel for thus degrading his rank. With this 
view he rushed into the room in the evening, and soon 
despatched the shoe-maker's bench ; after which, he made 
an assault on the colonel's person, and bruised him severely. 
The noise and confusion soon collected a number of offi- 
cers and soldiers, and it was a considerable time before 
the rioters could be quelled. Some of the soldiers of 
Colonel Wayne's regiment actually took to their arms and 
dared the Yankees^ and then proceeded to the extremity 
of firing their guns. About thirty or forty rounds were 
aimed at the soldiers of our regiment, who were driven 
from their huts and barracks, and several of them were 
severely wounded. Colonel C, in making an assault on 
a superior officer, and encouraging a riot, is guilty of one 
of the hi2:hest crimes in our articles of war. It was in 
the power of Colonel W., and in fact it was his duty, to 
bring the audacious offenders to exemplary punishment; 
but, as if to complete the disgrace of the transaction. Colo- 
nel C. sent some soldiers into the woods to shoot a ftit bear, 
with which he made an entertainment, and invited Colonel 
W. and his officers to partake of it; this effected a recon- 
ciliation; and Colonel W. was induced to overlook the 
high-handed assault on his own person and on the lives 
of his soldiers. Our colonel is a serious, good man, but 
is more conversant with the economy of domestic life than 
the etiquette practised in camp. 

January bth. — At the close of the last year, the situation 
of our main army was gloomy and discouraging: a large 
proportion of the troops had retired from service, as their 
term of enlistment expired, and the small remains of our 
army was retreating before the enemy, and passed the 
Delaware for safety. It is now announced in our general 
orders, to our inexpressible joy and satisfaction, that the 
scene is in some degree changed, the fortune of war is re- 
versed, and Providence has been pleased to crown the 
efforts of our commander-in-chief with a splendid victory. 
His excellency, having obtained information that the ad- 
vanced party of the enemy, consisting of about fifteen 
hundred Hessians and British light-horse, under command 
of Colonel Rahl, was stationed at the village of Trenton, 
concerted a plan for taking them by surprise. For this 



70 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777. 

purpose he made choice of Christmas night, under the 
idea that in consequence of the festivity, they might be 
less vigilantly guarded. At this time the whole force 
under his immediate command did not exceed three thou- 
sand men. At the head of about two thousand four hun- 
dred men, one division being commanded by General 
Greene and the other by General Sullivan, he crossed the 
river Delaware in boats, in the night of the 25th of De- 
cember, during a severe storm of snow and rain. The 
passage of the boats was rendered extremely difficult and 
hazardous by the ice, and part of the troops and cannon 
actually failed in the attempt. Having landed on the 
Jersey shore, he had nine miles to march, and he reached 
the village about seven o'clock in the morning with such 
promptitude and secrecy, as to attack the enemy almost 
as soon as his approach was discovered. A smart firing 
ensued, which continued but a few minutes, when the 
enemy, finding themselves surrounded, threw down their 
arms and surrendered a.s prisoners. Colonel Eahl, the 
commanding ofiicer, was mortally wounded, and seven 
other officers were wounded and left at Trenton on their 
parole. About thirty-five soldiers were killed, sixty 
wounded, and nine hundred and forty-eight, including 
thirty officers, were taken prisoners, amounting in all to 
one thousand and forty-eight. Of the Continentals not 
more than ten, it is supposed, were killed and wounded. 
General Washington recrossed the Delaware the same day 
in triumph, bringing off six excellent brass cannon, about 
one thousand two hundred small arms, and three standards, 
with a quantity of baggage, &c. This very brilliant 
achievement is highly honorable to the commander-in- 
chief, and to all that were engaged in the enterprise. We 
are sanguine in the hope that this most auspicious event 
will be productive of the happiest effects, by inspiriting 
our dejected army, and dispelling that panic of despair 
into which the people have been plunged. General 
Washington allowed the Hessian prisoners to retain their 
baggage, and sent them into the interior of Pennsylvania, 
ordering that they be treated with favor and humanity. 
This conduct, so contrary to their expectations, excited 
their gratitude and veneration for their amiable conqueror, 
whom they styled, "a very good rebel." 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777. 71 

15th. — By some friends from the main army, and from 
current report, it appears that the British, having overrun 
the Jerseys, considered the Continental army as on the 
point of annihilation, and flattered themselves that what 
they term the rebellion, is effectually crushed. In their 
march through the Jerseys they have committed such 
licentious ravages and desolation, as must be deemed dis- 
graceful by all civilized people ; an indiscriminate robbery 
and plundering mark every step of their progress; rapine 
and. murder, without distinction of friend or foe, age or 
sex, has been juit in practice with an inexorable spirit, 
and countenanced by officers of rank and distinction. 
Even those unfortunate inhabitants who have been deluded 
by their promises, and received printed protections, are 
equally sufferers l3y these cruel and atrocious wretches. 
Hundreds of inhabitants, both male and female, have been 
deprived of their dwellings and sustenance, stripped of 
their clothing, and exposed to the inclemency of the winter, 
and to personal insult and abuse of almost every descrip- 
tion. But their wicked career is about to be checked. 
Providence will not suffer such enormities to be perpetrated 
with impunity. Those miserable inhabitants, whose lives 
have been spared, are driven to desperation, and feel that 
they have no hope but in the extirpation of their cruel 
enemies. The people who have been subdued have, with 
a noble spirit, risen on their conquerors, and are resolved 
to revenge the injuries which they have suffered. 

We are now informed of another very important advan- 
tage which General Washington has gained over the royal 
army by means of a well-concerted stratagem. After his 
success at Trenton, General Washington received consid- 
erable reinforcements of troops from Virginia and ]\Iary- 
land, and some regiments of militia, which enabled him 
again to cross the Delaware into the Jerseys and face the 
enemy. While at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis advanced to 
attack him, and a severe cannonade commenced. In the 
evening. General Washington ordered a great number 
of fires to be lighted up, and leaving a sufficient number 
of men to keep them burning during the night, to deceive 
the enemy, stole a march with his main army, taking a 
circuitous route, and, at nine o'clock the next morning, 
attacked three regiments of the British who were posted 



72 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 

at Princeton, routed tliem, and drove them from their re- 
doubts. By this masterly manoeuvre, the enemy lost about 
five hundred in killed, wounded and prisoners. The loss 
on our side is very inconsiderable in point of numbers, 
but we have to lament the death of Brigadier-General 
Mercer, a brave officer, who commanded the Virginia mil- 
itia. The fact is published, that after General Mercer sur- 
rendered himself, the enemy, deaf to the voice of humanity, 
stabbed him with their bayonets, and \vith the butt end 
of a musket battered and disfigured his face in a savage 
manner. It is to be remarked, that on this memorable 
occasion Lord Cornwallis was completely out-generaled ; 
while he was expecting to find the Continental army at 
their lighted fires at Trenton, he was astonished and con- 
founded to hear the firing occasioned by this same army, 
beating up their quarters twelve miles in his rear. His 
lordship immediately repaired by a forced march to Prince- 
ton, but arrived too late to retaliate on his vigilant 
antagonist, who had taken up his route to Morristown. 
Finding that the Continentals were out of his reach, his 
lordship proceeded without halting to Brunswick. Strat- 
agems in war, when wisely concerted, and judiciously ex- 
ecuted, are considered as characterizing a military genius 
of superior order, and is a qualit>^ of inestimable value in 
every commander. It is often exultingl}^ remarked in our 
camp, that Washington was born for the salvation of his 
country, and that he is endowed with all the talents and 
abilities necessary to qualify him for the great imdertaking. 
The militia of Jersey, immediately on their being liberated 
from the control of the British, flew to arms, exasperated 
and stimulated by a recollection of their sufferings, and 
have become their most bitter and determined enemies ; 
and are very active and vigilant in harassing them on all 
occasions, keeping a continual watch, and cutting off'*small 
parties whenever opportunities offer. It is gratitying to 
the army that Congress have conferred on their General- 
issimo more ample powers, and appointed him Dictator for 
the limited term of six months; to reform and new-model 
the military arrangements, in such manner as he may 
judge most advantageous for the public service. Much 
good is expected to result from this measure. 

^Oth. — It is with infinite satisfaction we learn that the 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 73 

royal army has been compelled to quit almost every part 
of the Jerseys, and that our army is pursuing them from 
post to post, and they find no security but in the vicinity 
of their ship])ing. 

General Washington has issued a proclamation, com- 
manding all persons having taken the oath of allegiance 
to Great Britain, and accepted protections and certificates, 
to deliver up the same, and take the oath of allegiance to 
the United States — granting at the same time full liberty 
to all those who prefer the protection of Great Britain to 
the freedom and happiness of their country, forthwith to 
withdraw themselves and families to the enemy's lines. 

The winter hitherto has been mild and temperate ; Lake 
Champlain is now frozen over, and the ice is about one 
foot thick; the earth is covered with 'snow, but the storms 
have not been very violent, and the cold not so intense as 
might be expected in a northern climate. There have 
been frequent instances of persons being detected lurking 
about the country who are employed by the enemy in en- 
listing soldiers for the tory regiments in New York. In 
order eftectually to prevent this nefarious conduct, every 
person of this description who may fall into our hands is 
to be tried by a court martial, and if found guilty, will be 
executed as a spy. ' A few days since one Daniel Strong 
was found lurking about our army at Peekskill, and on 
examination enlistino- orders were found sewed in his 
clothes; he was immediately tried as a spy from the ene- 
my, sentenced to suffer death, and was executed accordingly. 

February. — The present unfortunate situation of General 
Lee, who is in close confinement in the provost prison, in 
New York, affords a topic for general conversation both 
in and out of the army. A correspondence between Gen- 
eral Washington and General Howe has taken place rela- 
tive to the subject, from which it appears that General Lee 
receives the most rigid and ungenerous treatment, under 
the absurd pretence thrtt he is a deserter from the British 
service, when it is well known that he resigned his com- 
mission long before he received an appointment in our 
army. As we have not in our possession any British 
officers of equal rank. General Washington has proposed 
to make an exchange of six Hessian field-officers for Gen- 
eral Lee, that being considered as the usual proportion for 



74 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 

the disparity of rank. This proposal being rejected, his 
excellency next required of General Howe, that General 
Lee should receive from his hands treatment suitable to 
his rank, and such as the custom of all armies has pre- 
scribed for prisoners of war. If this should be refused, 
General Howe was assured, that the unpleasant expedient 
of retaliation should be immediately adopted. This un- 
happy affair soon arrested the attention of Congress, and 
they resolved "that General Washington inform General 
Howe, that should the proffered exchange of General Lee 
not be accepted, and the ill treatment of -him be continued, 
the principle of retaliation shall occasion five of the Hes- 
sian field-officers, together with Lieutenant-Colonel A. 
Campbell, or any other officers that are or may be in our 
possession, equivalent in number or quality, to be detained 
in order that the same treatment which General Lee shall 
receive may be exactly inflicted on their persons," The 
result of this unfortunate business is, that the threatened 
retaliation has been resorted to on our part, and that 
Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell and five Hessian field-officers 
are committed to prison, and subjected to the same rigor- 
ous treatment which it has been ascertained is inflicted 
on the person of General Lee, Lieutenant-Colonel Camp- 
bell, being on parole near Boston, is confined in the jail at 
Concord, In a letter to General Howe, which has been 
published, after acknowledging the liberal and generous 
attention which he had previously received, he describes 
his present condition as being most horrid, and in his view 
altogether unjustifiable. It remains therefore with General 
Howe to afford to Colonel Campbell all the relief which 
he desires, and extend to him all the comforts and privi- 
leges which his rank demands, by first relaxing his sever- 
ity, and complying with the rules of war, as respects 
General Lee; it being the determination of our govern- 
ment to place the British prisoners in precisely the same 
circumstances with our prisoners^ in their custody. My 
leisure hours permit me to advert to another subject which 
excites the interest and the inexpressible indignation of 
every American. I allude to the abominable conduct of 
the British commanders towards our unfortunate officers 
and soldiers, who, by the fortune of war, have fallen into 
their hands. In all countries and armies, prisoners of war 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 75 

have a just claim on the duties of humanity; from the 
moment of their captivity hostilities should cease, the sword 
should be sheathed; being themselves disarmed, no arm 
can of right be lifted against them, and while they conduct 
in a manner becoming their condition, they are entitled to 
the customary immunities and to be treated with lenity. 
Among the savage tribes we know their captives are tor- 
tured by fire, by the seal ping-knife, and the tomahawk, but 
we are yet, and, for the honor of human nature, hope we 
ever shall remain, unacquainted with any civilized nation, 
except the English, who devote their captives to various 
forms of destruction. It would seem that the application 
of the term rebel to our prisoners, is sufficient to reconcile 
the consciences of their victors to inflict on them the most 
unprecedented cruelties. The following is a brief sum- 
mary of the systematic method adopted and practised for 
their destruction, as taken from the New London Gazette, 
from General Washington's letter of complaint to General 
Howe, and from the verbal statement of the officers and 
soldiers who have returned from New York by exchange. 
They were crowded into the holds of prison-ships, where 
they were almost suffocated for want of air, and into 
churches, and open sugar-houses, &c., without covering or 
a spark of fire. Their allowance of provisions and water 
for three days, was insufficient for one, and in some instan- 
ces, they were for four days entirely destitute of food. 
The pork and bread, for they had no other sustenance, 
and even the water allowed them, were of the worst pos- 
sible quality, and totally unfit for human beings. A 
minute detail of their dreadful sufferings would only serve 
to harrow up the feelings of surviving friends ; as a gross 
outrage against the principles of humnnity, suffice it to 
say, that in consequence of the most barbarous treatment, 
died within a few weeks, not less than fifteen hundred 
American soldiers, brave young men, the pride and shield 
of our country. After death had released the sufferers, 
their bodies were dragged out of the prisons, and piled up 
without doors, till enough were collected for a cart-load, 
when they were carted out and tumbled into a ditch, and 
slightly covered with earth. Besides the above diabolical 
treatment, the prisoners were continually insulted and tan- 
talized by the British officers and malicious tories, cursing 



76 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

an'l swearing at them as rebels, saying, "this is the just 
punishment of your rebellion; nay, you are treated too 
well for rebels, you have not received half you deserve, 
and half you shall receive; but if you will enlist in his 
majesty's service, you shall have victuals and clothing 
enough." Thus these callous-hearted Englishmen meanly 
endeavored to augment the royal army by the enlistment 
of American prisoners, or to diminish the number of their 
opposers; but such was the integrity and patriotism of 
these men, that hundreds submitted to death rather than 
become rebels to their native country. In one instance, 
four of our wounded officers, of respectable rank, were 
put into a common dirt-cart, and conveyed through the 
streets of New York as objects of derision, reviled as 
rebels, and treated with the utmost contempt.* But, it 
may be inquired, if I mean to describe the British com- 
manders as transformed into demons? 

I only record notorious facts, and it is not my journal, 
but the faithful and impartial pages of history that will 
transmit to posterity this stigma on the English character. 
Gracious Heavens ! are these the peoj^le from whom we de- 
rive our origin, and Avho are inviting the Americans to a 
reconciliation? A more dreadful curse can scarcely be de- 
nounced ! It is worthy of observation, that the British and 
Hessian prisoners in our hands were treated in a manner 
directly the reverse of that just described, and they never 
found cause to complain. It is some satisfaction to find, 
that since the brilliant success of our army in the Jerseys, 
and a considerable number of British and Hessians having 
fallen into our hands, the cruel severities inflicted on our 

* A friend who was unfortunately a prisoner in New York, has 
recently favored me with the following facts: In 1776, a number of 
prisoners were made by the British in our retreat from Long Island. 
Among others, a Lieutenant Dunscomb, of New York. He and his 
fellow-officers were ordered before the commanding-general, who, in 
harsh language, reproached them for their crime of rebellion and its 
necessary consequences. A gentleman present, began to plead their 
youth as an apology. It won't do, said General Howe, you sh;ill all be 
hanged! "Hang, and be d — d," said Dunscomb. Tiiey hanged no one 
that I know of, but they played the fool by going througii the farce of 
milking them ride with a rope round their necks seated on coffins to 
the gallows. Otho Williams, subsequently adjutant-general to the 
southern army, and a most worthy and amiable gentleman, I particu- 
larly know was treated in this manner. 




OEJ^ERAI^ DAVID WOOSTER. P. 78. 




OEJ^ERjlL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. P. 79. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 77 

prisoners have been in some degree mitigated. To the 
foregoing unparalleled catalogue of criminal proceedings, 
I have to add, from another writer, that the enemy wan- 
tonly destroyed the New York water-works, an elegant 
public library at Trenton, and the grand orrery made 
bv the celebrated Kittenhouse, which was placed in the 
college at Princeton, a piece of mechanism which the most 
imtutored savage, staying the hand of violence, would 
have beheld with wonder and delight. Thus are our cruel 
enemies warring against liberty, virtue and the arts and 
sciences. To make war against literature and learning is 
the part of barbarians. I cannot resist the temptation to 
transcribe a few paragraphs from an elegant speech of 
Governor Livingston to the general assembly of the state 
of New Jersey, March the 5th. "They have plundered 
friends and foes; effects, capable of division, they have 
divided ; such as were not, they have destroyed : they have 
warred on clecrepid old age, warred on defenceless youth; 
they have committed hostilities against the professors of 
literature and the ministers of religion, against public re- 
cords and private monuments; books of improvement, and 
papers of curiosity ; and against the arts and sciences. 
They have butchered the wounded, asking for quarter; 
mangled the dead, weltering in their blood; refused to the 
dead the rites of sepulture; suffered prisoners to perish 
for want of sustenance; insulted the persons of females; 
disfigured private dwellings of taste and elegance, and, in 
the rage of impiety and barbarism, profaned edifices dedi- 
cated to Almighty God." 

Lake Champlain is now open, and free from ice in its 
whole extent, and the hostile Indians begin to lurk about 
our lines, laying wait for their prey. A party of these 
savages in the British interest, a few days since, discovered 
about thirty of our unarmed recruits on their way to join 
their corps at Fort George; they immediately made their 
attack, killed and tomahawked some, made several pris- 
oners, and escaped towards Canada; a few of these men 
fortunately escaped, and several that were wounded were 
brought into our lines. Colonel Whitcomb with a party 
of continentals was ordered to pursue the Indians; he over- 
took part of them, and killed several, but the prisoners 
were carried off beyond his reach. 



78 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

An enterprise of little importance has lately been put 
in execution by a detachment of royalists from New York. 
Their object was to destroy some stores which were de- 
posited at Peekskill. General JVIcDougal, who had the 
command of the post, with a small number of men, found 
it prudent to retire, and the enemy accomplished in part 
the object of the expedition. Lieutenant-Colonel Willet, 
however, with only sixty men, came on them by surprise, 
when a skirmish ensued, which obliged them to retire with 
great precipitation on board their vessels in the North 
River, after having suffered a considerable loss. 

April 1st. — The term of service of Colonel Whitcomb's 
regiment having expired, they have now left the service, 
and returned to New England. Having received an in- 
vitation from Dr. Jonathan Potts, the surgeon-general in 
this department, to accept the office of surgeon's-mate in 
the general hospital, I have received the said appointment, 
and commenced my official duties accordingly at this place; 
Dr. D. Townsend being at the same ti«me apjiointed senior 
surgeon. We find here about eighty soldiers laboring 
under various diseases, and eight or ten that have been 
cruelly wounded by the savages who have been skulking 
in the woods in the vicinity. In our retired situation here, 
we are unacquainted with any military transactions in 
other quarters till they transpire in the public papers. 

May. — It is just announced that the eneni}^ have under- 
taken an expedition to Danbury, in Connecticut, for the 
purpose of destroying a magazine of stores at that place. 
Governor Tryon, a major-general of the Provincial troops 
in New York, was the commander of the detachment, con- 
sisting of one thousand eight hundred men, and Brigadier- 
General Agnew and Sir W. Erskine were commanders 
under him. When the enemy had landed and commenced 
their operations in their usual manner, by burning and 
destroying houses and other buildings, the country was 
alarmed, the militia collected, and were commanded by 
Major-General Wooster, Brigadier-Generals Arnold and 
Silliman. A smart action soon ensued, and continued 
about one hour, in which our militia and a small number 
of continentals conducted with distinguished bravery, but 
being overpowered by a superior force, they were obliged 
to retreat. The amount of stores destroyed by the enemy 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 79 

was very considerable, but the loss of valuable officers and 
men is infinitely more important. General Wooster was 
mortally wounded, and died soon after. Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel Gould and four or five other officers were killed, and 
about sixty men were killed and wounded. Among the 
slain is Dr. Atwater, a respectable character, whose death 
is greatly lamented. General Arnold had his horse shot 
under him when within ten yards of the enemy, and a 
soldier was advancing with fixed bayonet towards him, 
when, with great presence of mind, he drew his pistol from 
his holsters, and instantly shot him through the body. On 
the side of the royalists the loss, as stated by General 
Howe, is one hundred and seventy-two in killed, wounded 
and missing, but by other accounts it is much more con- 
siderable. Among their wounded is Brigadier-General 
Agnevv and two other field-officers. 

A Captain Roofa and his lieutenant, two noted tories, 
lately taken in arras as they were marching towards the 
enemy, were condemned by a court martial, and hanged 
at Esopus, in the state of New York, as a suitable reward, 
says a writer in the newspaper, for their treasonable prac- 
tices, they having induced a number of others to enlist in 
the service of the enemy. 

June. — Congress have appointed Major-General Schuyler 
to command in the northern department, including Albany, 
Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix and their dependencies, and 
Major-General St. Clair has the immediate command of 
the posts of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. It is 
also understood that the British government have appoint- 
ed Lieutenant-General Burgoyne commandqr-in-chief of 
their army in Canada, consisting, it is said, of eight or ten 
thousand men. According to authentic reports, the plan 
of the British government for the present campaign is that 
General Burgoyne's army shall take possession of Ticon- 
deroga, and force his way through the country to Albany; 
to facilitate this event, Colonel St. Leger is to march with 
a party of British, Gei'mans, Canadians and Indians to the 
Mohawk river, and make a diversion in that quarter. The 
royal army at New York, under command of General 
Howe, is to pass up the Hudson river, and, calculating on 
success in all quarters, the three armies are to form a junc- 
tion at Albany. Here, probably, the three commanders 



go MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 

are to congratulate each other on their mighty achieve- 
ments, and the flattering prospect of crushing the rebellion. 
This being accomplished, the communication between the 
southern and eastern states will be interrupted, and New 
England, as they suppose, may become an easy prey. 
Judging from the foregoing detail, a very active campaign 
is to be expected, and events of the greatest magnitude are 
undoubtedly to he unfolded. The utmost exertions are 
now making to strengthen our works at Ticonderoga, and, 
if possible, to render the post invulnerable. Mount Inde- 
pendence, directly opposite to Ticonderoga, is strongly 
fortified and well supplied with artillery. On the summit 
of the mount, which is table-land, is erected a strong fort, 
in the centre of which is a convenient square of barracks, 
a part of which are occupied for our hospital. The com- 
munication between these two places is maintained by a 
floating bridge ; it is supported on twenty-two sunken piers 
of very large timber, the spaces between these are filled 
with separate floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve 
wide, strongly fastened together with iron chains and rivets. 
A boom composed of large pieces of timber, well secured 
together by riveted bolts, is placed on the north side of 
the bridge, and by the side of this is placed a double iron 
chain, the links of which are one and a half inch square. 
The construction of this bridge, boom and chain, of four 
hundred yards in length, has proved a most laborious 
undertaking, and the expense must have been immense. 
It is, however, supposed to be admirably adapted to the 
double purpose of a communication, and an impenetrable 
barrier to any vessels that might attempt to pass our works. 
By way of amusement I went with three gentlemen of our 
hospital to endeavor to explore a high mountain in this 
vicinity. With much difficulty we clambered up and 
reached the summit. From this commanding eminence 
we had one of the most singularly romantic views which 
imagination can paint. Northward we behold Lake 
Champlain, a prodigious expanse of unruffled water, widen- 
ing and straitening as the banks and clifts project into its 
channel. This lake extends about one hundred miles 
towards Quebec, and is from one to five miles wide. On 
each side is a thick uninhabited wilderness, variegated by 
hills and dales; here the majestic oak, chestnut and pine, 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1777. 31 

rear their lofty heads; there the diminutive shrub forms 
a thicket for the retreat of wild beasts. Looking south- 
west from our stand, we have a view of part of Lake 
George, emptying its waters into Lake Champlain, near 
Ticonderoga. Turning to the east, the prodigious heights 
called Green Mountains, ascending almost to the clouds, 
are 'exhibited to view, with the settlements in that tract ot 
territory called New Hampshire grant. The ancient for- 
tress at Crown Point is about twelve miles north of this 
place; it is by nature a very strong position, but it has 
been abandoned by both armies. 

July 1st. — We are now assailed by a proclamation of a 
very extraordinary nature from General Burgoyne, enu- 
merating a string of titles, which he has doubtless received 
from his royal master as a reward for his merit. From 
the pompous manner in which he has arrayed his titles, 
we are led to suppose that he considers them as more than 
a match for all the military force which we can bring 
against him. They stand thus: "'By John Burgoyne^ 
Esquire, Lieutenant- General of his Majesty'^ s forces in America, 
Colonel of the Queen^s regiment of Light Dragoons, Governor 
of Fort William., in North Britain, one of the Commons of 
Great Britain in Parliament, and commanding an army and 
fleet employed on an expedition from Canada, &c. t&c." 

This sanguinary proclamation is to be viewed as the 
forerunner of his formidable army, and all the opposers 
of his authority are menaced with his avenging power. 
"I have," says the proclamation, "but to give stretch to 
the Indian forces under my direction, and they amount to 
thousands, to overtake the hardened enemies of Great 
Britain and America. I consider them the same wherever 
they may lurk." The British ministry, not satisfied with 
the disgraceful expedient of hiring foreign mercenaries, 
resort also to the savages of the wilderness for aid in the 
glorious cause of tyranny and of spreading the horrors of 
war by fire and sword throughout our country. The mili- 
tia of New England are daily coming in to increase our 
strength; the number of our troops, and our ability to de- 
fend the works against the approaching enemy, are con- 
siderations which belong to our commanding officers; in 
their breasts let the important secret remain, and in their 
superior judgment our confidence must be reposed. One 



32 MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1777. 

fact, however, is notorious, that when the troops are directed 
to man the hnes, there is not a sufficient number to occupy 
their whole extent. It appears, nevertheless, so far as I 
can learn, to be the prevalent opinion, that we shall be 
able to repel the meditated attack, and defeat the views of 
the royal commander; both officers and men are in high 
spirits and prepared for the contest. 

July 2d. — The British army is now approaching; some 
of their savage allies have been seen in the vicinity of our 
Gilt works, which, with the block-house beyond the old 
French lines, has this day been abandoned. On the 3d 
and -ith, the enemy are making their approaches and gain- 
ing as is supposed some advantages. They have taken 
possession of Mount Hope, our batteries are now opened, 
and a cannonading has commenced. General St. Clair 
endeavors to animate the troops, and Orders every man to 
repair to the alarm-posts at morning and evening roll-call, 
and to be particularly alert and vigilant. There seems to 
be a diversity of opinion whether General Burgoyne in- 
tends to besiege our garrison, or to attempt to possess 
himself of it by an assault on our lines. 

5th. — It is with astonishment that we find the enemy 
have taken possession of an eminence called Sugar-loaf 
Hill, or Mount Defiance^ which, from its height and prox- 
imity, completely overlooks and commands all our works 
at Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. This mount it 
is said ought long since to have been fortified hy our army, 
but its extreme difficulty of access, and the want of a suf- 
ficient number of men, are the reasons assigned for its 
being neglected. The situation of our garrison is viewed 
as critical and alarming; a few days, it is expected, will 
decide our fate. We have reason to apprehend the most 
fatal ettects from their battery on Sugar-loaf Hill. 

l-kth. — By reason of an extraordinary and unexpected 
event, the course of my Journal has been interrupted for 
several days. At about twelve o'clock, in the night of the 
5th instant, I was urgently called from sleep, and informed 
that our army was in motion, and was instantly to abandon 
Ticonderoga and Mount Independence. I could scarcely 
believe that my informant was in earnest, but the confusion 
and bustle soon convinced me that it was really true, and 
that the short time allowed demanded my utmost industry. 




if: 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1777. 83 

It was enjoined on me immediately to collect the sick and 
wounded, and as much of the hospital stores as possible, 
and assist in embarking them on board the batteaux and 
boats at the shore. Having with all possible despatch 
completed our embarkation, at three o'clock in the morn- 
ing of the 6th, we commenced our voyage up the South 
bay to Skeensboro', about thirty miles. Our fleet con- 
sisted of five armed gallies and two hundred batteaux and 
boats deeply laden with cannon, tents, provisions, invalids 
and women. We were accompanied by a guard of six 
hundred men, commanded by Colonel Long, of New 
Hampshire. The night was moon-light and pleasant, the 
sun burst forth in the morning with uncommon lustre, the 
day was fine, the water's surface serene and unruffled. 
The shore on each side exhibited a variegated view of 
huge rocks, caverns and clefts, and the whole was bounded 
by a thick impenetrable wilderness. My pen would fail 
in the attempt to describe a scene so enchantingly sublime. 
The occasion was peculiarly interesting, and we could but 
look back with regret, and forward with apprehension. 
We availed ourselves, however, of the means of enlivening 
our spirits. The drum and fife afforded us a favorite 
music; among the hospital stores we found many dozen 
bottles of choice wine, and, breaking off" their necks, we 
cheered our hearts with the nectareous contents. At three 
o'clock in the afternoon we reached our destined port at 
Skeensboro', being the head of navigation for our gal- 
lies. Here we were unsuspicious of danger; but, behold! 
Burgoyne himself was at our heels. In less than two 
hours we were struck with surprise and consternation by 
a discharge of cannon from the enemy's fleet, on our gal- 
lies and batteaux lying at the wharf By uncommon 
efforts and industry they had broken through the bridge, 
boom and chain, which cost our people such immense labor, 
and hud almost overtaken us on the lake, and horridly 
disastrous indeed would have been our fate. It was not 
long before it was perceived that a number of their troops 
and savages had landed, and were rapidly advancing 
towards our little party. The officers of our guard now 
attempted to rally the men and form them in battle array; 
but this was found impossible; every effort proved una- 
vailing, and in the utmost panic they were seen to fly in 



34 ■ MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

every direction for personal safety. In this desperate 
condition, I perceived our officers scampering for their 
baggage; I ran to the batteau, seized my chest, carried it 
a short distance, took from it a few articles, and instantly 
followed in the train of our retreating party. We took 
the route to Fort Anne, through a narrow defile in the 
woods, and were so closely pressed by the pursuing enemy, 
that we frequently heard calls from the rear to "march on, 
the Indians are at our heels." Having marched all night 
we reached Fort Anne at five o'clock in the morning, where 
we found provisions for our refreshment. A small rivulet 
called Wood Creek is navigable for boats from Skeensboro' 
to Fort Anne, by which means some of our invalids and 
baggage made their escape; but all our cannon, provisions, 
and the bulk of our baggage, with several invalids, fell 
into the enemy's hands. 

On the 7th instant, we received a small reinforcement 
from Fort Edward, by order of Major-General Schuyler, 
and on discovering that a detachment of the enemy under 
command of Colonel Hill had arrived in our vicinity, a 
party from our fort was ordered to attack them in their 
covert in the woods. The two parties were soon engaged 
in a smart skirmish, which continued for several hours, 
and resulted greatly to our honor and advantage; the 
enemy, being almost surrounded, were on the point of 
surrendering, when our ammunition being expended, and 
a party of Indians arriving and setting up the war-whoop, 
this being followed by three cheers from their friends the 
English, the Americans were induced to give way and 
retreat. One surgeon with a wounded captain and twelve 
or fifteen privates, were taken and brought into our fort. 
The surgeon informed me that he was in possession of 
books, &c. taken from my chest at Skeensboro', and, sin- 
gular to relate, some of the British prisoners obtained in 
the same manner, and had in their pockets, a number, of 
private letters which I had received from a friend in Mas- 
sachusetts, and which were now returned to me. Fort 
Anne being a small picket fort of no importance, orders 
were given to set it on fire, and on the 8th we departed 
for Fort Edward situated about thirty miles southward, 
on the banks of Hudson river. General St. Clair, with 
his main army from Ticonderoga, took a circuitous route 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. • §5 

tlirougli the woods to Hubbardtown and Charlestown, in 
the New Hampshire grants, and being pursued by a strong 
detachment from Burgoyne's army, his rear guard, com- 
manded by Colonel Francis, was overtaken, and on the 
7th instant, a very close and severe engagement took place, 
in vvliich bloody conflict, the brave Colonel Francis fell 
with other valuable officers, while fighting with distin- 
guished giillantry. The Americans made an honorable 
defence, and finally a secure retreat. We lost in this action 
about three hundred, in killed, wounded and prisoners. 
Tiie enemy, according to estimation, about two hundred. 
On the 12th, General St. Clair arrived here with the re- 
mains of his army, greatly distressed and worn down by 
fatigue. General Schuyler is commander at this post, he 
has a small army of continentals and militia, and is making 
every possible exertion, by taking up bridges, throwing 
obstructions in the roads and passes, by fallen trees, &c. to 
impede the march of Burgoyne's army towards Albany. 

The abandonment of Ticonderoga and Mount Independ- 
ence has occasioned the greatest surprise and alarm. No 
event could be more unexpected nor more severely felt 
throughout our army and country. This disaster has 
given to our cause a dark and gloomy aspect, but our 
affairs are not desperate, and our exertions ought to be in 
proportion to our misfortunes and our exigencies. The 
conduct of General St. Clair on this occasion has rendered 
him very unpopular, and subjected him to general censure 
and reproach; there are some, indeed, who even accuse 
him of treachery ; but time and calm investigation must 
decide whether he can vindicate himself as a judicious and 
prudent commander. There is much reason to suppose 
that neither the strength of Burgoyne's army, nor the 
weakness of our garrison were properly considered or 
generally understcjod. It must be universally conceded, 
that when the enemy had effected their great object by 
hoisting cannon from tree to tree, till they reached the 
summit of Swjar-loaf Hill, the situation of our garrison 
had become perilous in the extreme. General Schuyler 
is not altogether free from public reprehension, alleging 
that he ought in duty to have been present at Ticonderoga 
during the critical period. It is predicted by some of our 
well-intbrmed and respectable characters, that this event, 



86 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 



apparently so calamitous, will ultimately prove advantage- 
ous, by drawing the British army into the heart of our 
country, and thereby place them more immediately within 
our power. 

It may be deemed ludicrous that I should record a 
rumor so extravagantly ridiculous as the following, but it 
has received too much credence to be altogether omitted. 
It has been industriously reported, that Generals Schuyler 
and St. Clair acted the part of traitors to their country, 
and that they were paid for their treason by the enemy in 
silver balls, shot from Burgoyne's guns into our camp, and 
that they were collected by order of General St. Clair, and 
divided between him and General Schuyler. 

2oth. — The sick soldiers under my care at this place have 
been accommodated in barracks and tents. I have now 
received orders to accompany them to the hospital at Al- 
bany, about fifty -five miles; boats being provided, we 
embarked about forty sick and invalids, and proceeded 
down the North river, and arrived on the third day at the 
place of our destination. 

August 3d. — The pleasing information is received here 
that Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, of the Rhode Island mili- 
tia, planned a bold exploit for the purpose of surprising 
and taking Major-General Prescott, the commanding ofiicer 
of the royal army at Newport. Taking with him, in the 
night, about forty men in two boats with oars mufiled, he 
had the address to elude the vigilance of the ships of war 
and guard boats, and having arrived undiscovered at the 
quarters of General Prescott, they were taken for the sen- 
tinels, and the general was not alarmed till his captors 
were at the door of his lodging chamber, which was fast 
closed. A negro man, named Prince, instantly thrust his 
beetle head through the pannel-door, and seized his victim 
while in bed. The general's aid-de-camp leaped from a 
window undressed, and attempted to escape, but was taken, 
and with the general brought off in safety. In repassing 
the water guards. General Prescott said to Colonel IBaitun, 
"Sir, I did not think it possible you could escape the vigil- 
ance of the water guards." This is the second time that 
General Prescott has been a prisoner in our hands within 
two years. This adventure is extremely honorable to the 
enterprising spirit of Colonel Barton, and is considered as 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1V77. 



87 



ample retaliation for the capture of General Lee by Colo- 
nel Harcourt. The event occasions great joy and exulta- 
tion, as it puts in our possession an officer of equal rank 
with General Lee, by which means an exchange may be 
obtained. Congress resolved that an elegant sword should 
be presented to Colonel Barton for his brave exploit. It 
has been ascertained that General Howe has relaxed in 
his rigid treatment of General Lee, and conducted towards 
him in a manner suitable to his rank. The Hessian officers, 
on whom retaliation had been inflicted, are also restored 
to their former condition as prisoners of war. 

It appears by the papers, that Congress resolved, on the 
14th of June last, that the flag of the thirteen United 
States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white ; that the 
union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing 
a new constellation. 

His Excellency General Washington, at his quarters in 
the Jerseys, has published a manifesto in answer to General 
Burgoyne's proclamation, from which I extract a few par- 
agraphs. He observes, " The associated armies in America 
act from the noblest motives, and for the purest purposes: 
their common object is liberty. The same principles act- 
uated the arms of Eome in the days of her glory, and the 
same object was the reward of Roman valor. When these 
sacred ideas are profaned, when the abominable mixture 
of mercenary, foreign and savage forces dare to mention 
the love of country^ and the general 'privileges of nianlund^'' 
referring to Burgoyne's proclamation, "the freemen of 
America protest against such abuse of language and pros- 
titution of sentiment," In another paragraph, "We beg 
leave to observe, if the power of his Britannic Majesty's 
fleets and armies have been driven from Boston, repulsed 
from Charleston, cut off at Trenton, expelled the Jerseys, 
and be now, after almost three campaigns, commencing its 
operation, that this is a power we do not dread." In the 
close, "Harassed as we are by unrelenting persecution, 
obUged by every tie to repel violence by force, urged by 
self-preservation to exert the strength which Providence 
has given us to defend our natural rights against the ag- 
gressor; we appeal to the hearts of all mankind for the 
justice of our cause; its event we submit to Him who 
speaks the fate of nations, in humble confidence that as 



S3 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

bis omniscient eye taketli note even of the sparrow that 
falleth to the ground, so He will not withdraw his counte- 
nance from a people who humbly array themselves under 
his banner in defence of the noblest principles with which 
he hath adorned humanity." It is a matter of pride to 
our coivntry that our commander-in-chief has exhibited a 
production so far surpassing in dignity of sentiment and 
justness of observation the pompous proclamation to which 
this is a rejoinder. It is no less satisfactory to reflect, that 
the measure referred to has not been productive of those 
glorious advantages to the royal cause, or the dire conse- 
quences as respects our own^ which the sanguine spirit of 
its author had contemplated. Though he threatened us 
with all the outrages of war, arrayed in terrific forms, aided 
by savages eager to be let loose on their prey, yet the 
proclamation has been viewed rather as a curious model of 
an ostentatious display of self-importance than a formida- 
ble weapon calculated to awe a free people into submission. 
8;!/^. — We have just been apprised, by express from the 
Mohawk country, that Colonel St. Leger and Sir John 
Johnson, with a body of Britons, Canadians, tories and 
Indians, had invested Fort Schuyler, one hundred and ten 
miles from Albany; that General Herkimer, with about 
eight hundred militia, was advancing to disperse this 
motley cc^llection, and to relieve the garrison; but unfor- 
tunately he fell into an ambuscade and suffered a consid- 
erable loss. Being himself wounded in both legs, he was 
seen sitting on a stump, and courageously encouraging his 
men, by which they maintained their ground and did great 
execution among the enemy. Several of the Indian chiefs 
were slain by the first fire, which so disheartened the re- 
mainder, that they were thrown into the greatest confusion, 
and turning on the tories and other white people, a warm 
contention ensued between them, and many of the whites 
were killed. Colonel Gansevort, the commander of the 
fort, sent out Lieutenant-Colonel Willet with two hundred 
and fifty men, who bravely routed the Indians and tories, 
destroyed their provisions and took their kettles, blankets, 
muskets, tomahawks, deer-skins, &c. with five colors, and 
returned to the fort. The brave General Herkimer soon 
died of his wounds, and one hundred and sixty of his 
militia-men, having fought like lions, were killed, besides 




COLOMEL JOBJV BROOKS. P. 89. 



MILITARY JOUENAL, IV 77. 89 

a great number wounded. St. Leger's victory over our 
militia was purchased at a dear price, more than seventy 
of his Indians were shiin, and among them a large pro- 
portion of their most distinguished and fovorite warriors, 
and the survivors were exceedingly dissatisfied. The 
object of the expedition was far from being accomplished; 
the commander did not, however, despair of getting pos- 
session of the fort; for this purpose he sent in a flag de- 
manding a surrender. He greatly magnified his own 
strength, asserted that Burgoyne was at Albany; and 
threatened that on refusal his Indians would destroy all 
the inhabitants in the vicinity, and so soon as they could 
enter the fort every man would be sacrificed. Colonel 
Gansevort nobly replied in the negative, being determined 
to defend the fort at every hazard. Aware, however, of 
his perilous situation, he found means of sending to Gen- 
eral Schuyler at Stillwater for assistance. General Arnold 
was now despatched with a brigade of troops to attack the 
besiegers; but finding their force greatly superior to his 
own, he sent back for a reinforcement of one thousand 
light troops. 

An object which cannot be accomplished by force is 
often obtained by means of stratagem. Lieutenant-Colo- 
nel John Brooks, an intelligent ofiicer from Massachusetts, 
being in advance with a small detachment, fortunately 
found one Major Butler, a noted officer among the Indians, 
endeavoring to influence the inhabitants in their favor, 
and he was immediately secured. A man also by the 
name of Cuyler, who was proprietor of a handsome estate 
in the vicinity, was taken up as a spy. Colonel Brooks 
proposed that he should be employed as a deceptive mes- 
senger to spread the alarm and induce the enemy to retreat. 
General Arnold soon after arrived, and approved the 
scheme of Colonel Brooks ; it was accordingly agreed that 
Cuyler should be liberated and his estate secured to him 
on the condition that he would return to the enemy and 
make such exaggerated report of General Arnold's force 
as to alarm and put them to flight. Several friendly In- 
dians being present, one of their head men advised that 
Cuyler's coat should be shot through in two or three places 
to add credibility to his story. Matters being thus adjusted, 
the impostor proceeded directly to the Indian camp, where 



gy MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 

he was well known, and informed their warriors that 
Major Butler was taken, and that himself narrowly escaped, 
several shot having passed through his coat, and that 
General Arnold with a vast force was advancing rapidly 
toward them. In aid of the project, a friendly Indian fol- 
lowed, and arrived about an hour after with a confirmation 
of Cuyler's report. This stratagem was successful: the 
Indians instantly determined to quit their ground, and 
make their escape, nor was it in the power of St. Leger 
and Sir John, with all their art of persuasion, to prevent 
it. When St. Leger remonstrated with them, the reply 
of the chiefs was, "When we marched down, you told us 
there would be no fighting for us Indians; we might go 
down and smoke our pipes; but now a number of our 
warriors have been killed, and you mean to sacrifice us." 
The consequence was, that St. Leger, finding himself de- 
serted by his Indians, to the number of seven or eight 
hundred, deemed his situation so hazardous that he de- 
camped in the greatest hurry and confusion, leaving his 
tents with most of his artillery and stores in the tield. 
General Arnold with his detachment was now at liberty 
to return to the main army at Stillwater; and thus have 
we clipped the right wing of General Burgoyne. In the 
evening, while on their retreat, St. Leger and Sir John 
got into a warm altercation, criminating each other for 
the ill success of the expedition. Two sachems, observing 
this, resolved to have a laugh at their expense. In their 
front was a bog of clay and mud ; they directed a young 
warrior to loiter in the rear, and then, of a sudden, run as 
if alarmed, calling out, They are coming, they are coming ! 
On hearing this, the two commanders in a fright took to 
their heels, rushing into the bog, frequently falling and 
sticking in the mud, and the men threw away their packs 
and hurried off. This and other jokes were several times 
repeated during the night for many miles. 

'6()th. — The city of Albany is situated on the west bank 
of the Hudson, or North river, one hundred and sixty 
miles north from New York, and the river admits of sloop 
navigation between these two cities. It consists of about 
three hundred houses, chiefly in the gothic style, the gable 
ends to the street. There is an ancient Dutch church of 
stone, a Congregational church, and a decent edifice called 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 9^ 

City ITall, which accommodates occasionally their general 
assembly and courts of justice. The hospital was erected 
daring the last French war; it is situated on an eminence 
overlooking the city. It is two stories high, having a 
wing at each end and a piazza in front above and below. 
It contains forty wards, capable of accommodating five 
hundred patients, besides the rooms appropriated to the 
use of surgeons and other officers, stores, &c. 

Our army under General Schuyler have left their unim- 
portant station at Fort Edward, and having made a stand 
for a few days at Saratoga, they fell back to Stillwater, 
twenty-five miles above Albany, where they have taken 
their station, and are daily receiving reinforcements of 
militia and some continental troops. On the retreat of 
our army from Fort Edward, Major Hull commanded the 
rear guard, and being two miles in the rear, was attacked 
by a large body of the enemy, and after a severe contest, 
in which he lost thirty or forty of his men, he was com- 
pelled to retreat. He received the thanks of General 
Schuyler for his brave and judicious conduct. General 
Burgoyne, we learn, is extremely embarrassed, and his 
march greatly impeded by the obstructions in the roads 
efi'ected by order of Gen. Schuyler; he has at length, how- 
ever, surmounted numerous difficulties, and reached the 
vicinity of Saratoga. Finding himself in want of provi- 
sions, horses to mount his cavalry, and teams to transport 
his stores and baggage, he resorted to one of the most chi- 
merical and romantic projects that could enter the imagi- 
nation of man. Being informed that a large quantity of 
stores, corn, cattle, &c,, were deposited at Bennington, in the 
New Hampshire grants, he planned an expedition for the 
purpose of possessing himself of this treasure. Presuming, 
probably, that his late success and his manifesto had pro- 
duced such wonderful effects, that no more opposition would 
be made to his progress in the country, he despatched Col, 
Baum, a German officer, with five hundred Hessians and 
tories and one hundred Indians, with two field-pieces. 
The colonel was furnished with the following curious 
instructions, which fell into the hands of General Stark: . 

" To proceed through the New Hampshire grants, cross the mountains, 
scour the country, with Peier''s corps (tories) and the Indians, from Rock- 
ingham to Otter creek, to get horses, carriages, and cattle, and mount 



92 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777. 

Reidesefs regiment of dragoons, to go down Connecficvt river as far as 
Bratllehorough, and return by the great road to Albany, there to meet Gen- 
eral Bnrij^oyne, to endeavor to make the country believe it was the advanced 
bodif of the GeneraTs army who was to cross Connectic^it river and proceed 
to Boston; and that at Springfield they were to he joined bij the troops from 
Rhode Island. All officers, civil and military, acting under the Congress, 
icere to be made prisoners. To tax the towns where they halted, with such 
articles as they wanted, and take hostages for the performance, <^c. You 
are to bring all horses Jit to mount the dragoons or to serve as battalion horses 
for the troops, with as many saddles and bridles as can be found. The 
number of horses requisite besides those for the dragoons ought to be thirteen 
hundred, if you can bring more, so much the better. The horses muxt be 
tied in strings of ten each, in order that one man may lead ten horses.''^ 

This redoubtable commander surely must be one of the 
happiest men of the age, to imagine that such prodigious 
achievements were at his command; that such invaluable 
resources were within his grasp. But, alas! the wisest of 
men are liable to disappointment in their sanguine calcu- 
lations, and to have their favorite projects frustrated by 
the casualties of war. This is remarkably verified in the 
present instance. Preceded by the manifesto, and having 
his commission in bis pocket. Colonel Baura marched, on 
the 14th of August, at the head of his command, to execute 
the orders of his general; he proceeded about twelve or 
thirteen miles, where he halted, and secured himself by 
intrenchments. It was a providental circumstance that 
General Stark was at or near Bennington, with about eight 
hundred New England militia, part of whom being from the 
New Hampshire grants, are called Green Mountain Boys. 
He advanced towards the enemy to reconnoitre their posi- 
tion, and some skirmishing ensued, in which thirty of them 
with two Indian chiefs were killed and wounded, with little 
loss on our side. Colonel Baum, alarmed at his situation, 
despatched a messenger to Burgoyne for a reinforcement. 
The 15th being a very rainy day, there was only some 
skirmishing in small parties. On the 16th, General Stark, 
assisted by Colonel Warner, matured his arrangements 
for battle; he divided his troops into three divisions, and 
ordered Colonel Nichols, with two hundred and fifty men, 
to gain the rear of the left wing, of the enemy, and Colo- 
nel Hendrick the rear of their right wing, with three 
hundred men, while he attacked their front. The Indians, 
alarmed, at the appearance of being surrounded, en- 
deavored to make their escape in a single file between the 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 93 

two parties, with their horrid yells and jingling of cow- 
bells. The flanking parties approaching each other in their 
rear, and General Stark making a bold and furious onset 
in front, a general and close conflict ensued, and continued 
with more or less severity for about two hours. Though 
Colonel Baum had nearly twice their numbers, and was 
defended by breastworks, the force opposed to them proved 
irresistible, forcing their breastworks at the muzzles of 
their guns, and obliging them to ground their arms and 
surrender at discretion, so that the victory on our part 
was complete. We took two pieces of brass cannon, and 
a number of prisoners, with baggage, &c. This was hardly 
accomplished, when Colonel Breyman, with one thousand 
German troops, arrived with two field-pieces, to reinforce 
Colonel Baum, who had just been defeated. General 
Stark's troops were now scattered, some attending the 
wounded, some guarding the prisoners, and still more in 
pursuit of plunder; and all exhausted by extreme hunger 
and fatigue. At this critical moment. Colonel Warner's 
regiment arrived, and the other troops being rallied, the 
whole were ordered to advance. A field-piece had been 
taken from Baum in the forenoon, and Stark ordered it 
to be drawn to the scene of action, but his men having 
never seen a cannon, knew not how to load it; the general 
dismounted, and taught them by loading it himself An 
action soon commenced, and proved warm and desperate, 
in which both sides displayed the most daring bravery, 
till night approached, when the enemy yielded a second 
time iu one day to their Yankee conquerors. The Ger- 
man troops being totally routed, availed themselves of the 
darkness of night to effect their retreat. The whole num- 
ber of killed, wounded and prisoners, was nine hundred 
and thirty-four, including one hundred and fifty-seven 
tories; of this number, six hundred and fifty-four are 
prisoners. Colonel Baum received a mortal wound, of 
which he soon after died. Besides the above, one thous- 
and stand of arras, four brass field-pieces, two hundred 
and fifty dragoon swords, eight loads of baggage, and 
twenty horses, fell into our hands. The loss on our side 
is not more than one hundred in the whole. The officers 
and men engaged in this splendid enterprise merit all the 
praise which a grateful country can bestow ; they fought 



94 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777. 

disciplined troops completely accoutred, while tliev wielded 
their ordinary firelocks with scarce a bayonet, and at first 
without cannon. The consequences must be most auspi- 
cious as respects our affairs in the northern department. 
Burgoyne must feel the clipping of another wing, and it 
must diminish his confidence in his successful career. The 
event will also be productive of the happiest effects on the 
spirits of our militia, by increasing their confidence in their 
own prowess. The following anecdote deserves to be 
noticed for the honor of the person who is the subject of 
it, though his name has not been ascertained. A venerable 
old man had five sons in the field of battle near Benning- 
ton, and being told that he had been unfortunate in one 
of liis sons, replied, "What! has he misbehaved? did he 
desert his post, or shrink from the charge?" "No, sir," 
says the informant, "worse than that: he is among the 
slain; he fell contending mightily in the cause." "Then 
I am satisfied," replied the good old man; "bring him in, 
and lay him before me, that I may behold and survey the 
darling of my soul." On which the corpse was brought 
in and laid before him. He then called for a bowl of 
water and a napkin, and with his own hands washed the 
gore and dirt from his son's corpse, and wiped his gaping 
wounds, with a complacency, as he himself expressed it, 
which before he had never felt or experienced. 

M:ijor-General Horatio Gates has superseded General 
Schuyler as commander-in-chief of the northern depart- 
ment, and has passed through this city on his way to 
Stillwater. This appointment will be very satisfactory to 
our army, as General Gates has the respect and confidence 
of the New England troops. 

September 2d. — General Gates has issued a proclamation 
to counteract any influence which Burgoyne's sanguinary 
manifesto might have produced, interdicting all communi- 
cation with the royal army, and endeavoring to calm the 
fears of the inhabitants, by promising them all the pro- 
tection in his power. Burgoyne's manifesto, however, 
denouncing fire and sword, instead of alarming into sub- 
mission, excites universal indignation and contempt; in- 
stead of conciliating, and increasing the number of his 
friends, serves only to exasperate and augment our means 
of resistance and opposition to his views. It was not long 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 95 

indeed before some innocent persons were made victims 
of savage barbarity, by means of the tomahawk and 
scalping-knife, in the hands of the barbarians under his 
command. Among the first of these victims, was Miss 
Jenny McCrea, who was murdered in a manner extremely 
shocking to the feelings of humanity. The father of Miss 
McCrea was friendly towards the royalists, and the young 
lady was engaged to marry a refugee officer in Burgoyne's 
army, by the name of Jones, and waited his arrival in 
order to have the marriage consummated. When our army 
retreated from Fort Edward, Miss McCrea had the indis- 
cretion to remain behind, probably with the expectation 
of meeting her lover. The Indians, however, soon made 
her their prisoner, and on their return towards Burgoyne's 
camp, a quarrel arose to decide who should hold possession 
of the fair prize. During the controversy, one of the 
monsters struck his tomahawk into her skull, and imme- 
diately stripped off her scalp. 

General Gates complains to General Burgoyne of this 
and other outrages in the following words: "A young 
lady. Miss McCrea, lovely to the sight, of virtuous char- 
acter and amiable disposition, engaged to be married to 
an officer in your army, was, with other women and chil- 
dren, taken out of a house near Fort Edward, carried into 
the woods, and there scalped and mangled in a most 
shocking manner. Two parents with their six children, 
were all treated with the same inhumanity, while quietly 
residiii2; in their own happy and peaceful dwellings. The 
miseriible fate of Miss McCrea was peculiarly aggravated 
by her being dressed to receive her promised husband — 
but met her murderer, employed by you. Upwards of 
one hundred men, women and children, have perished by 
the hands of ruffians, to whom it is asserted you have paid 
the price of blood." This appears since to be rather an 
exaggerated charge. In General Burgoyne's reply, he 
says, "The fact was no premeditated barbarity: on the 
contrary, two chiefs who had brought Miss McCrea off, 
for the purpose of security, not of violence to her person, 
disputed which should be her guard, and in a fit of savage 
passion, in the one from whose hands she was snatched, 
the unhappy woman became the victim." He expressed 
sorrow and regret for the tragic scenes, and further stated 



9g MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

that he obliged the Indians to give up the murderer into 
his hands, and he certainly should have suffered an igno- 
minious death, had he not been convinced that a pardon 
on his terms would be more efficacious than an execution, 
to prevent further mischief That he paid for scalps, he 
denies; but the Indians were to receive compensation for 
prisoners. This cruel conduct of the royalists is contem- 
plated with horror and detestation by all ranks of people, 
except their friends and adherents. It is impossible not to 
detest that cause and that army which accepts the aid of sav- 
age auxiliaries, and encourages them in inhuman slaughter 
and bloodshed. This measure was certainly countenanced 
and recommended by his majesty and his ministers, and 
General Burgoyne acknowledges that he allowed the In- 
dians to take the scalps of the dead. It must be most 
painful for the impartial historian to record, and it will 
require the strongest faith of the reader in future ages to 
credit, the disgraceful story that Britons, who pride them- 
selves on their civility and humanity, employed the wild 
savages of the wilderness in a war against a people united 
to them by the ties of consanguinity. That age, and the 
helpless invalid, women, and children at the breast, are all 
alike subjected to the merciless fury of barbarians. That 
British generals should be so regardless of the dignity of 
their station, and the voice of humanity, as to receive from 
the hands of these ferocious wretches the scalps torn from 
the skulls of innocent persons! 

ISth. — There is a constant intercourse kept up between 
this city and our army near Stillwater, by which we are 
regularly apprised of daily occurrences. It is now ascer- 
tained that Burgoyne has crossed the Hudson, and en- 
camped at Saratoga, about thirty-six miles above Albany. 

17th.' — General Gates, reposing full confidence in the 
courage and strength of his army, seems to have deter- 
mined to march and confront his formidable enemy, and 
endeavor to force him and his troops back to Canada, 
which, in his orders, issued to inspire his troops with ardor, 
he says, "has been successfully begun by General Stark 
and Colonel Warner at the eastward; and by General 
Herkimer and Colonel Gansevort at the westward; and 
cannot, with the blessing of Heaven, fail to be equally 
prosperous in the hands of the generals and soldiers ap- 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 97 

pointed to face the enemy's main army at the northward. 
If the murder of aged parents, with their irmocent chil- 
dren; if manghng the blooming virgin, and inoffensive 
youth, are inducements to revenge — if the righteous cause 
of freedom, and the happiness of posterity, are motives to 
stimulate to conquer their mercenary and merciless foes, 
the time is now come, when they are called on by their 
country, by their general, and by every thing divine and 
human, to vanquish the foe." 

lS//i and 19th. — Our army is advancing towards the 
enemy in three columns, under Generals Lincoln and 
Arnold, General Gates in the centre. A terrible conflict 
is daily expected ; both parties appear to be determined to 
commence the work of destruction. 

20th. — By express arrived in this city last night, it is 
announced that the two armies fought in the field, yester- 
day, a very sanguinary battle, the particulars of which 
are not fully understood; but it is reported that from the 
closeness and obstinacy of the combat, the carnage on both 
sides was prodigious. It is with inexpressible satisfaction 
that we learn our troops behaved with that undaunted 
bravery which has secured to them the victory, and were 
it not for the darkness of the evening when the battle 
closed, it would have been more complete. 

21st and 22d. — A considerable number of officers and 
soldiers who were wounded in the late battle, have been 
brought here to be accommodated in our hospital, or in 
private houses in this city. Several of these unfortunate 
but brave men have received wounds of a very formidable 
and dangerous nature, and many of them must be sub- 
jected to. capital operations. 

2'6d. — From the officers who were engaged in the battle, 
I have obtained the following particulars. Our army, 
under the command of General Gates, was stationed in 
the vicinity of Stillwater, when they advanced towards 
the enemy and offered them battle. Colonel Morgan's 
regiment of riflemen, and Major Dearborn's light infantry, 
being in front, received the first fire about noon, on the 
19th instant. General Burgoyne was at the head of his 
army, and Generals Phillips, Eeidesel and Frazer, with 
their respective commands, were actively engaged. At 
about three o'clock, both armies being formed in a line of 



9g MILITARY JODENAL, 1777. 

battle, the action became general, and the combatants on 
both sides evinced that ardor and gallantry which shows 
a determination to conquer or die. The firing for about 
three hours was incessant, with continued tremendous roar 
and blaze, filling the field with carnage and death. Few 
battles have been more obstinate and unyielding — at one 
point the British are overpowered ; but being reinforced, 
the Americans are baffled; these, being supported and re- 
newing their efforts, regain their advantages; the same 
ground is occupied alternately, the dead and wounded of 
both parties are mingled together. The British resort re- 
peatedly to their bayonets without effect — the Americans 
resist and foil their attempts. Captain Jones, of the Brit- 
ish artillery, had the command of four pieces of cannon, 
which he conducted with great skill and valor till he fell, 
and thirty-six out of forty-eight of his artillery men were 
killed or wounded; his cannon were repeatedly taken and 
retaken, but finally remained with the enemy for the want 
of horses to bring them off. During the engagement, a 
number of our soldiers placed themselves in the boughs 
of high trees, in the rear and flanks, and took every op- 
portunity of destroying the British officers by single shot; 
in one instance, General Burgoyne was the object, but the 
aid-de-camp of General Phillips received the ball through 
his arm, while delivering a message to Burgoyne; the 
mistake, it is said, was occasioned by having his saddle 
furnished with rich lace, and was supposed by the marks- 
man to be the British cominamler. In the dusk of even- 
ing the battle terminated, the British in one quarter silently 
retreating, the Americans in another give way, and quit 
the long-contested field. Lieutenant-Colonel Brooks, with 
the eighth Massachusetts regiment, remained in the field 
till about eleven o'clock, and was the last who retired. 
Major IIull commanded a detachment of three hundred 
men, who fought with such signal ardor, that more than 
half of them were killed or wounded. The whole number 
of Americans engaged in this action, was about two thou- 
sand five hundred; the remainder of the army, from its 
unfavorable situation, took little or no part in the action. 
The British have sufl'ered a loss, as is supposed, of more 
than five hundred in killed, wounded and prisoners. On 
the side of the Americans, sixty-four were killed, two 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1777. 99 

hundred and seventeen wounded, and tbirty-eiglit missing. 
Among the killed, are Colonels Adams and Colburn, two 
valuable officers, much regretted. 'Jlie victory on this 
important occasion is claimed by the enemy, but the ad- 
vantages are most decidedly on the side of the Americans; 
they were the assailants — they held their ground during 
the day, and at the close retired to their encampment with- 
out being pursued. The royal army lay all the ensuing 
night on their arms at some distance from the field of battle. 

24/A. — General Lincoln having the command of a body 
of New England militia, detached Colonel Brown with 
five hundred men to the landing at Lake George, about 
three miles from Ticonderoga, and more than forty miles 
in the rear of the British army. Two other detachments 
were also sent towards Mount Independence, Fort Anne 
and Fort Edward. These expeditions being faithfully 
executed, were attended with complete success. Colonel 
Brown had the address to surprise all the out-posts in the 
vicinity of Ticonderoga, and took immediate possession 
of Mount Defiance, Mount Hope, and a block-house, with 
two hundred batteaux, an armed sloop, and several gun- 
boats, about three hundred prisoners, with their small 
arms, and released one hundred American prisoners from 
their confinement. 

October 1st. — The situation of the royal army vmder 
Burgoyne, is now considered extremely precarious; his 
march to Albany is deemed absolutely impracticable, and 
a retreat to Canada must be attended with insurmountable 
difficulties and dangers. It is well understood, that he 
calculates on the cooperation of Sir Henry Clinton, by 
sending from New York a force up the North river to 
endeavor to effect a passage to Albany, or at least to oc- 
casion such alarm, as to draw off a part of General Gates' 
army from before him. Messengers or persons in the 
character of spies, are frequently suspected of passing from 
one British commander to the other. A man, by name 
Nathan Palmer, was, a few days since, seized in General 
Putnam's camp, at Peekskill, under suspicious circum- 
stances, and on trial was found to be a lieutenant in the 
tory new levies, and he was executed as a spy.* 

'^ For General Putnam's letter to Governor Try on, respecting Palmer, 
see life of Putnam in the Appendix. 



100 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777. 

^th. — By intelligence from camp, it appears that Bur- 
goyne has thrown up a line of intrenchments in front of 
his camp, and is making every possible eifort to strengthen 
his position and prepare for another conflict. The Cana- 
dians and his savage allies being greatly dissatisfied and 
discouraged, have deserted his standard since the last battle. 
The advantages obtained over the enemy on this occasion, 
excites the greatest exultation and rejoicing throughout 
our army and country. It is indeed a remarkable fact, 
which must animate the heart of every friend to the cause 
of America, that our troops, so little accustomed to en- 
counter the prowess of European veterans, and the pecu- 
liar warfare of the savages, should face these enemies with 
such undaunted courage and intrepidity. Sanguine hopes 
are now entertained that we shall, by the help of Provi- 
dence, be finally enabled to destroy or capture the whole 
British army. Our troops are panting for another oppor- 
tunity of displaying their valor, and another dreadful 
conflict is daily expected; alternate hopes and fears con- 
tinually agitate our minds, and create the greatest anxiety 
and sohcitude. What can excite idea^ more noble and 
sublime, than impending military events, on which depend 
the destiny of a nation? 

Qth. — An express passed through this city, on his way 
to General Gates' head-quarters, with the information that 
a detachment of troops from New York, supposed to be 
about four thousand, under command of Sir Henry Clinton 
and General Vaughan, have undertaken an expedition up 
the North river. Their object undoubtedly^ is, to possess 
themselves of Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton, in the 
highlands, and to make a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. 
General Putnam was stationed at Peekskill with a small 
force, but being totally unable to cope with the enemy, 
has retired to some distance. Should this expedition be 
crowned with success, it will be in the power of Sir Henry 
Clinton to convey his army to this city, and even to our 
camp at Stillwater, which will place our army between 
two fires. Should General Gates detach a part of his 
troops to oppose the march of General Clinton, it will lib- 
erate Burgoyne, and he would probably force his way to 
this city. In either event, the consequences must be ex- 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 101 

ceedingly disastrous to our country. We tremble with 
apprehensions. 

8th. — The anticipated important intelligence has just 
reached us, that a most severe engagement took place 
yesterday, between the two armies, at a place between 
Stillwater and Saratoga, called Bemis' Heights. It is 
supposed to be the hardest fought battle, and the most 
honorable to our army, of any since the commencement 
of hostilities. The enemy was completely repulsed in 
every quarter, and his defeat was attended with irrepara- 
ble loss of officers, men, artillery, tents and baggage. Our 
officers and men acquired the highest honor; they fought 
like heroes, and their loss is very inconsiderable. General 
Arnold has received a wound in his leg. I am impatient 
to receive the particular details of this capital event. 

9lh ayid 10th.- — I am fortunate enough to obtain from our 
officers, a particular account of the glorious event of the 
7th instant. The advanced parties of the two armies 
came into contact, about three o'clock on Tuesday after- 
noon, and immediately displaj'ed their hostile attitude. 
The Americans soon approached the royal army, and each 
party in defiance awaited the deadly blow. The gallant 
Colonel Morgan, at the head of his famous rifle corps, and 
Major Dearborn, leading a detachment of infantry, com- 
menced the action, and rushed courageously on the British 
grenadiers, commanded by Major Ackland; and the furi- 
ous attack was most firmly resisted. In all parts of the 
field, the conflict became extremely arduous and obstinate; 
an unconquerable spirit on each side disdaining to yield 
tlie palm of victory. Death appeared to have lost his ter- 
rors; breaches in the ranks were no sooner made than 
supplied by fresh combatants awaiting a similar fate. At 
length the Americans press forward with renewed strength 
and ardor, and compel the whole British line, commanded 
by Burgoyne himself, to yield to their deadly fire, and 
they retreat in disorder. The German troops remain 
firmly posted at their lines; these were now boldly assault- 
ed by Brigadier-General Learned and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Brooks, at the head of their respective commands, with 
Buch intrepidity, that the works were carried, and their 
brave commauider, Lieutenant-Colonel Breyman, was slain. 
The Germans were pursued to their encampment, which, 



1Q2 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1777. 

with all the equipage of the brigade, fell into our hands. 
Ct)lonel Cilley, of General Poor's brigade, having acquitted 
himself honorably, was seen astride on a brass field-piece, 
exulting in the capture. Major Hull, of the Massachusetts 
line, was among those who so bravely stormed the enemy's 
intrenchment and acted a conspicuous part. General Ar- 
nold, in consequence of a serious misunderstanding with 
General Gates, was not vested with any command, by 
which he was exceedingly chagrined and irritated. He 
entered the field, however, and his conduct was marked 
with intemperate rashness; flourishing his sword and 
animating the troops, he struck an officer on the head 
without cause, and gave him a considerable wound. He 
exposed himself to ever}'- danger, and with a small party 
of riflemen, rushed into the rear of the enemy, where he 
received a ball which fractured his leg, and his horse was 
killed under him. Nighthdl put a stop to our brilliant 
career, though the victory was most decisive, and it is with 
pride and exultation that we recount the triumph of 
American bravery. Besides Lieutenant-Colonel Breyman 
slain. General Frazer, one of the most valuable officers in 
the British service, w^s mortally wounded, and survived 
but a lew hours.* Sir Francis Clark, aid-de-camp to Gen- 
eral Burgoyne, was brought into our camp with a mortal 
wound, and Major Ackland, who commanded the British 
grenadiers, was wounded through both legs, and is our 
jirisoner. Several other officers and about tvro hundred 
privates are prisoners in our hands, with nine pieces of 
cannon and a considerable supply of ammunition, which 
was much wanted for, our troops. The loss on our side 
is supposed not to exceed thirty killed and one hundred 
Avounded, in obtaining this signal victory. 

11^//. — The night after the battle, Burgojme silently 

* The death of General Frazer, from Professor Silliman's Travels. 
"In the action oi' 7th October, 1777, Frazer was the soul of the British 
army, and was just ehanging the disposition of a part of the troops to 
repel a strong impression which the Americans had made, and were still 
making, on the British right, wlien Morgan called together two or three 
of his best marksmen, and pointing to Frazer, said, 'Do you see that 
gallant otHcer? — that is General Frazer — I respect and honor him; but it 
is necessary he should die.' This was enough. Frazer immediately 
received his mortal wound, and was carried off the field." See the 
Appendix. 



\ 




MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 103 

moved from his position, and on the 8th there was con- 
siderable skirmishing through the day, with some loss on 
both sides. We have to lament the misfortune of Major- 
General Lincoln, who, while reconnoitring the enemy, 
advanced so near, that a whole volley of musketry was 
discharged at him, and he received a dangerous wound in 
his leg. It is reported that, the day after the battle, up- 
wards of one hundred of the enemy's dead were found 
unburied in the field. General Gates having detached a 
body of troops to get into the rear of the British army, 
Burgoyne took the alarm, and resolved to retreat imme- 
diately to Saratoga; accordingly in the night of the 9th 
instant, he silently moved off, leaving in our possession 
his hospital, containing three hundred sick and wounded, 
with medicinal stores, and two hundred barrels of flour, 
&c. It is a fact, both unaccountable and disgraceful, that 
on their retreat they committed the most wanton devasta- 
tions, burning and destroying almost every house within 
their reach; the elegant and valuable country seat of 
General Schuyler, near Saratoga, did not escape their fury. 
The situation of the royal army is now extremely deplora- 
ble, and there is scarcely a possibility of their final escape. 
General Gates has so arranged his forces as to cut off their 
retreat, and is endeavoring to surround them on every 
quarter. May the Almighty Ruler grant that our efforts 
may be crowned with still more glorious success! 

12th. — The wounded officers and soldiers of our army, 
and those of the enemy who have fallen into our hands, 
are crowding into our hospital, and require our constant 
attention. The last night I watched with the celebrated 
General Arnold, whose leg was badly fractured by a mus- 
ket-ball while in the engagement with the enemy on the 
7th instant. He is very peevish, and impatient under his 
misfortunes, and required all my attention during the 
night, but I devoted an hour in writing a letter to a friend 
in Boston, detailing the particulars of the late battle. 

In the severe battle of the 7th, General Burgoyne him- 
self, it is now ascertained, had a hair breadth escape, hav- 
ing one bullet pass through his hat and another tore his 
waistcoat.* 

* The following anecdote shows the imminent danger to which a part 
General Gates' army was at one time exposed. General Gates had 
I 



IQ^ MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1777. 

"We have the most flattering accounts from camp. Our 
array is now posted within musket-shot of the enemy at 
Saratoga, and are forming a circle round them. Some 
skirmishing takes place every day, in which we have taken 
one hundred and twenty prisoners, and have received one 
hundred and sixty deserters. A party of our men have 
taken fifty batteaux loaded with provisions, stores, and 
medicines, among which are one thousand barrels of pork 
and beef. This must be to the enemy an irreparable loss, 
and a blow which must hasten the destruction or surren- 
der of their whole army. 

14:th. — We have now a confirmation of the intelligence 
that Sir Henry Clinton and General Vaughan have pushed 
up the North river, and made a successful attack on our 
forts at the highlands. Fort Montgomery and Fort Clin- 
ton are near to each other, on the western bank of the 
Hudson. They have been considered of great importance 
as defensive posts, against the passage of the enemy up 
the river. In addition to these forts, a strong boom and 
an iron chain of immense size were stretched across the 
river, and a frigate and two gallies were stationed above 

received what he supposed to be certain intelligence that the main body 
of Burgoyne's army had marched otF for Fort Edward, and that a rear 
guard only was left in the camp, who after a while were to push off as 
fast as possible, leaving the heavy baggage behind. On this it was 
concluded to advance and attack the camp in half an hour. General 
Nixon's being the eldest brigade, crossed the Saratoga Creek first: un- 
known to the Americans, Burgoyne had a line formed behind a parcel 
of brushwood to support the post of artillery where the attai-k was to 
be made. General Glover with his brigade was on the point of following 
Nixon. .Tust as he entered the water, he saw a British soldier crossing, 
whom he called and examined. This soldier was a deserter, and com- 
municated the very important fiict, that the whole British army were in 
their encampment. Nixon was imraediitely stopped, and the intelligence 
conveyed to Gates, who countermanded his orders for the assault, and 
called back his troops, not without sustaining some loss from the British 
artillery. — Gordon and Marshal. 

N. B. General Wilkinson, who acted as General Gates' adjutant-gen- 
eral, asserts in his memoirs, that he first discovered the British at their 
post, through a thick fog while his horse halted to drink in fording the 
creek, and that he instantly arrested the march of our troops, and thereby 
saved them from destruction. He makes no mention of the deserter. 
It is known that Burgoyne has frequently expressed his extreme disap- 
pointment that he was baffled in this stratagem; and Americans ought 
never to forget the remarkable Providential escape. 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, ]777. 105 

them. By these means it was always supposed that the 
position was invulnerable, provided a proper number of 
troops were posted in the forts ; but it unfortunately hap- 
pened that most of the continenial troops were necessarily 
called off to join General Gates' army. The forts were 
defended by Governor George Clinton and his brother, 
General James Clinton, of New York, having about six 
hundred militia-men — a force greatly inadequate to the 
defence of the works. The enemy came up the river, 
landed, and appeared unexpectedly, and demanded a sur- 
render of the forts, which being resolutely refused, were 
taken by assault, though not without a firm and brave re- 
sistance. General James Clinton received a baj'^onet wound 
in his thigh, but he and the governor with a part of the 
garrison made their escape, leaving about two hundred 
and fifty men killed, wounded and prisoners. The enemy 
suffered a severe loss of three field-officers killed, and their 
dead and wounded is estimated at about three hundred. 
General Putnam, who commanded at Peekskill in the 
vicinity, having a small force only to guard the deposit 
of stores, was obliged to retire, and the barracks, stores 
and provisions, to a very considerable amount, fell into 
the hands of the enemy and were destroyed. With wan- 
ton cruelty they set fire to the houses and buildings of 
every description, and spread ruin and devastation to the 
extent of their power. To consummate their destructive 
scheme. General Vaughan destroyed by conflagration the 
beautiful town of Esopus, with the church, and every 
other building it contained. Thus we experience the hor- 
rid effects of malice and revenge ; where they cannot con- 
quer, they wantonly exterminate and destroy. They are 
well apprised of the disastrous and desperate situation of 
their boastful General Burgoyne, and if they dare not 
march to his relief, they can cowardly retaliate by confla- 
gration with impunity. It is the prevalent opinion here, 
that by taking advantage of wind and tide, it is in the 
power of Sir Henry Clinton to convey his forces to this 
city within the space of five or six hours, and having 
arrived here, a march of about twenty miles will carry 
him without opposition to Stillwater, which must involve 
General Gates in inexpressible embarrassment and diffi- 
culty, by placing him between two armies, and thereby 



206 MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1777. 

extricating Burgoyne from his perilous situation. "We 
have been trembhngly alive to this menacing prospect, 
but our fears are in a measure allayed by the following 
singular incident. After the capture of Fort Montgomery, 
Sir Henry Clinton despatched a messenger, by the name 
of Daniel Taylor, to Burgoyne with the intelligence; for- 
tunately he was taken on his way as a spy, and finding 
himself in danger, he was seen to turn aside and take 
something from his pocket and swallow it. General 
George Clinton, into whose hands he had fallen, ordered 
a severe dose of emetic tartar to be administered; this 
produced the happiest efiect as respects the prescriber; 
but it proved fatal to the patient. He discharged a small 
silver bullet, which, being unscrewed, was found to inclose 
a letter from Sir Henry Clinton to Burgojme. " Out of 
thine own mouth thou shalt be condemned." The spy 
was tried, convicted and executed. The following is an 
exact copy of the letter inclosed : 

Fort Montgomery, October 8th, 1777. 

Nous void — and nothing between us but Gates. I sincerely hope 
this little success of ours may facilitate your operations. In answer to 
your letter of the 28th of September by C. C. I shall only say, I cannot 
presume to order, or even advise, for reasons obvious. I heartily wish 
you success. Faithfully yours, H. CLINTON. 

To General Burgoyne. 

lith. — An express from camp. Burgoyne has this day 
made proposals to General Gates to enter into a treaty for 
the surrrender of his army. He desires a cessation of 
arms till the preliminary terms can be settled, to which 
General Gates has assented. The glorious event is about 
to be consummated. 

loth cmd IQth. — Burgoyne's message to General Gates 
by the hands of Major Kingston is as follows: 

"October Uth, 1777. 

"After having fought you twice, Lieutenant-General Burgoyne has 
waited some days, in his present position, determined to try a third con- 
flict against any force you could bring to attack him. 

"He is apprised of the superiority of your numbers, and the disposi- 
tion of your troops to impede his supplies and render his retreat a scene 
of carnage on both sides. In this situation he is impelled by humanity, 
and thinks himself justified by established principles and precedents of 
state and of war, to spare the lives of brave men on honorable terms: 
should Major-General Gates be inclined to treat on this idea, General 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 107 

Burgoyne would propose a cessation of arms during the time necessary 
to communicate the preliminary terms, by which, in any extremity, he 
and his army mean to abide." 

A convention was in consequence opened, and two days 
were spent in a discussion and interchange of articles 
between the two commanders. It was agreed that the 
articles should be mutually signed and exchanged to-mor- 
row morning the 17th instant, at nine o'clock; and the 
troops under Lieutenant-General Burgoyne are to march 
out of their intrenchments at three o'clock in the afternoon. 

The substance of the treaty is, that the troops under the 
command of General Burgoyne shall march out of their 
camp with the honors of war and their field-artillery, to 
the place assigned, where their arms and artillery shall be 
piled at the command of their own officers. 

That the troops be allowed to return to England, on 
condition that they shall not serve again in America during 
the present war. That the ofiicers be allowed to wear 
their side-arms, and be treated according to their rank. 
That the European troops march immediately for Boston, 
%o be in readiness to embark when transports shall be sent 
for them, and that the Canadians be permitted to return 
home immediately, on the sole condition of their not arm- 
ing again against the United States, 

18th. — At the appointed hour yesterday morning the 
Americans marched into the lines of the British to the 
tune of Yankee Doodle, where they continued till the 
royal army had marched to the place appointed and de- 
posited their arms according to the treaty. 

It is a circumstance characteristic of the amiable and 
benevolent disposition of General Gates, that, unwilling 
to aggravate the painful feelings of the royal troops, he 
would not permit the American soldiery to witness the 
degrading act of piling their arms. This instance of del- 
icacy and politeness, at the moment of triumph, towards 
an enemy who had committed the most unprecedented 
outrages, is a mark of true magnanimity, and deserves the 
highest praise, though it deprives our army of ^he satis- 
faction to vyhich they are justly entitled.* 

The preliminaries having been acceded to by the two 

* For the first interview between the royal general officers and their 
conqueror, see Lite of General Gates, in the Appendix. 



IQQ MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 

coram ariders, Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkinson, deputy ad- 
jutant-general, and Brigadier-General Whipple, of the 
militia, on our part, and Lieutenant-Colonel Sutherland, 
Major Kingston, and Captain Craig, on the part of the 
British, were appointed to stipulate and arrange the par- 
ticular articles of capitulation. So very tenacious were the 
British of the trivial points of military honor, that, after 
they had signed the "treaty of capitulation,''^ as it was 
termed, they required that the term should be altered to 
"treaty of convention,'''' in which they were indulged by 
Greneral Gates, as being of little consequence on our part. 
During the pending negotiatioh, several hundred of the 
New York militia, whose term of service had expired, 
marched off the ground without permission from General 
Gates; and the same night Burgoyne received intelligence 
by a spy that Sir H. Clinton, having taken Fort Montgom- 
ery, would attempt to force his way to Albany. Though 
the articles of convention were fully adjusted, signed and 
exchanged, by those appointed for the purpose, and the 
hour stipulated by the parties for Burgoyne to affix his 
signature, he addressed a note to General Gates, purporting 
that he should recede from the treaty, on the ground that 
a part of the American force had been detached from the 
army during the negotiation; and with a bold effrontery, 
required that he might be permitted to send two ojjicers to 
oicr cam-p to ascertain the fact. This dishonorable conduct, 
as may be supposed, raised the ire of our spirited com- 
mander, who sent Lieutenant-Colonel Wilkinson to have 
a personal interview with Burgoyne, and to insist that 
hostilities should recommence, if the treaty was not imme- 
diately ratified. This, after much hesitation on the part 
of Burgoyne and his officers, produced the desired effect. 
His contemplated alternative was, to abandon his camp, 
artillery, heavy baggage and sick, and, by a desperate 
effort in the night, to force his way through our army, and 
make a rapid march to Albany with the hope of meeting 
General Sir H. Clinton. It is considered singular that it 
was not (demanded of the captured general to deliver up 
his military chest, colors, and soldiers' accoutrements; but 
the success of General Clinton in reducing Fort Montgom- 
ery, and the serious apprehensions of General Gates that 
he would force his way to Albany, and the desire of the 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777. 109 

latter to spare the effusion of blood, are the substantial 
causes which procured for Burgoyne the favorable terms 
which he enjoys. It is satisfactory to learn that the British 
officers, in general, candidly acknowledged that the Amer- 
ican troops conducted on all occasions with the greatest 
bravery, and when, after their surrender, they visited and 
took a view of our camp, expressed much surprise at the 
military order and economy which were conspicuous in 
every part, and said that they never had seen, even in 
Germany, an encampment more systematically and prop- 
erly disposed. The trophies which we have achieved by 
this great event, are, officers and soldiers, five thousand 
seven hundred and ninety-one. It has been estimated 
that Burgoyne's army, at the commencement of the cam- 
paign, was full ten thousand strong; the deficiency now, 
must be accounted for by the killed, loss by sickness, pris- 
oners and deserters. Among the officers taken, are six 
members of the British Parliament. The train of brass 
artillery and other ordnance are immensely valuable, con- 
sisting of forty-two pieces of brass ordnance, besides seven 
thousand muskets, with six thousand dozen cartridges and 
an ample supply of shot, shells, &c. To these are added, 
clothing for seven thousand men, a large number of tents 
and other military stores. Thus we witness the incalcu- 
lable reverse of fortune, and the extraordinary vicissitudes 
of military events, as ordained by Divine Providence. The 
same haughty commander, who but a few weeks since, 
flushed with victory, was harassing our retreating army 
in every direction ; that proud, assuming foe, who so often 
threatened to lay waste our cities and country, and who said 
in his orders, early in the campaign, "this army must not 
retreat," is now reduced to the mortifying alternative of 
suing for terms of surrender, to those powers whom he 
affected to treat with sovereign contempt. It must be 
doubly mortifying to contrast his present humble condition 
with that when he published his pompous and bombastic 
proclamation, calling on towns and people to send dele- 
gates to supplicate his favor and clemency, and threatening 
vengeance against all those who should dare to disobey 
his commands, or oppose his authority. There are per- 
haps few examples in the annals of warfare, of a whole 
army under a celebrated general, and officers of the first 



IIQ MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 

character; gentlemen of noble families, and military merit, 
being reduced to the mortifying condition of captives, led 
through a country which it was designed should have been 
devoted to their all-conquering power. The intelligence 
of these events to the British government, must affect 
them like the shock of a thunderbolt, and demonstrate to 
them the invincibility of a people united in the noble 
cause of liberty and the rights of man. This event will 
make one of the most brilliant pages of American history. 
General Gates has crowned himself with unfading laurels 
and immortal honor; he has vanquished a commander 
of established military fame, at the head of a veteran army. 
lie has displayed the qualities of a general, the magna- 
nimity of a philanthropist, and the amiable and polite 
civilities of a gentleman. No less dignified and brave 
as a commander, than beneficent and generous as a con- 
queror, he is remarkable for his humanity to prisoners, 
and a desire to mitigate the sufferings of the unfortunate. 
Among the objects in distress, which claimed his attention, 
was the lady of Major Ackland, commander of the British 
grenadiers, who was dangerously wounded and captured 
during the battle of the 7th of October. This heroic lady, 
from conjugal affection, was induced to follow the fortune 
of her husband during the whole campaign through the 
wilderness. Having been habituated to a mode of life 
with which those of rank and fortune are peculiarly 
favored, her delicate frame is ill-calculated to sustain the 
indescribable privations and hardships to which she was 
unavoidably exposed during an active campaign. Pier 
vehicle of conveyance was, part of the time, a small two- 
wheeled tumbril, drawn by a single horse, over roads 
almost impassable. Soon after she received the affecting 
intelligence that her husband had received a wound, and 
was a prisoner, she manifested the greatest tenderness and 
affection, and resolved to visit him in our camp to console 
and alleviate his sufferings. With this view she obtained 
a letter from Burgoyne to General Gates, and not permit- 
ting the prospect of being out in the night, and drenched 
in rain, to repress her zeal, she proceeded in an open boat, 
with a few attendants, and arrived at our out-post in the 
night, in a suffering condition, from extreme wet and cold. 
The sentinel, faithful to his duty, detained them in the 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. HI 

boat till Major Dearborn, the officer of the guard, could 
arrive. He permitted them to land, and afforded Lady Ack- 
land the best accommodations in his power, and treated 
her with a cup of tea in his guard-house. AYhen General 
Gates, in the morning, was informed of the unhapp}'' 
situation of Lady Ackland, he immediately ordered her 
a safe escort, and treated her himself with the tenderness 
of a parent, directing that every attention should be be- 
stowed which her rank, or sex, character and circumstances 
required. She was soon conveyed to Albany, where she 
found her wounded husband. For further particulars 
respecting this highly respectable and interesting lady, the 
reader is referred to the Appendix. 

In the military transactions in the northern department, 
the labors and efforts of Ma,jor-General Schuyler are ac- 
knowledged to be eminently important and useful. He 
is undoubtedly entitled to the character of an intelligent 
and meritorious officer. As a private gentleman he is 
dignified, but courteous, his manners are urbane, and his 
hospitality is unbounded. He is justly considered as one 
of our most distinguished champions of liberty, and his 
noble mind has soared above despair, even at a period 
when he experienced injustice from the public, and when 
darkness and gloom overspread our land. Though he 
was not invested with any active command, he was present 
at the surrender of the British army, which was near the 
spot where his elegant country-seat had been demolished. 
Here he sought an interview with the Baroness Keidesel, 
who with her three children, for she was entrusted with 
this charge during the campaign, he politely accommodated 
in his own tent, and invited her to become his guest at 
his residence at Albany, On the day of the surrender, 
all the captive generals dined with General Gates, and 
received from him the kindest civilities and attention. 

We have now brought to a glorious termination a mili- 
tary campaign, pregnant with remarkable vicissitudes and 
momentous events; the result of which, seemed for a time 
to poise on a pinnacle of sanguine hopes and expectations 
on the one side, and the most appalling apprehensions on 
the other. All gratitude and praise be ascribed to Him 
who alone limits the extent of human power, and decrees 
the destiny of nations ! 



/ 



112 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1777. 

21sf. — The captive Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, Reide- 
sel, &c. with a number of ladies of high rank, arrived last 
evening at the hospitable mansion of General Schuyler in 
this city. His seat is about one mile out of town, and I 
have frequently made it a walk for amusement. It is a 
house of two stories, in elegant ancient style, and fancifully 
ornamented. I am informed that it has for several gen- 
erations been celebrated for the great respectability and 
generous hospitality of its inhabitants. During the last 
French war, it was almost a general resort for British of- 
ficers, as well as strangers and travellers of note. 

22d. — The magnanimous General Schuyler, with his 
lady and daughters, have given their unfortunate guests 
a friendly and polite reception, characteristic of this noble 
spirited family. Notwithstanding General Burgoyne 
destroyed their beautiful villa at Saratoga, they appear 
disposed to console them in their misfortune by all the 
civilities and attention in their power. 

23f/. — General Burgoyne gratefully acknowledged the 
generous treatment received from General Schuyler, and 
observed to him, " You show me great kindness, sir, though 
I have done you much injury." To which he magnani- 
mously replied, '■'■ That toas the fate of war ! let us say no 
more about it." 

24</i. — This hospital is now crowded with officers and 
soldiers from the field of battle; those belonging to the 
British and Hessian troops, are accommodated in the same 
hospital with our own men, and receive equal care and 
attention. The foreigners are under the care and man- 
agement of their own surgeons. I have been present at 
some of their capital operations, and remarked that the 
English surgeons perform with skill and dexterity, but 
the Germans, with a few exceptions, do no credit to their 
profession; some of them are the most uncouth and clumsy 
operators I ever witnessed, and appear to be destitute of 
all sympathy and tenderness towards the suffering patient. 
Not less than one thousand wounded and sick are now in 
this city; the Dutch church, and several private houses 
are occupied as hospitals. We have about thirt}^ surgeons, 
and mates; and all are constantly employed. I am obliged 
to devote the whole of my time, from eight o'clock in the 
morning to a late hour in the evening, to the care of our 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1777. 113 

patients. Here is a fine field for professional improvement. 
Amputating limbs, trepanning fractured skulls, and dress- 
ing the most formidable wounds, have familiarized my 
mind to scenes of woe. A military hospital is peculiarly 
calculated to afford examples for profitable contemplation, 
and to interest our sympathy and commiseration. If I 
turn from beholding mutilated bodies, mangled limbs and 
bleeding, incurable wounds, a spectacle no less revolting 
is presented, of miserable objects, languishing under af- 
flicting diseases of every description — here, are those in a 
mournful state of despair, exhibiting the awful harbingers 
of approaching dissolution — there, are those with emaciated 
bodies and ghastly visage, who begin to triumph over 
grim disease and just lift their feeble heads from the pillow 
of sorrow. No parent, wife or sister, to wipe the tear of 
anguish from their eyes, or to soothe the pillow of death, 
they look up to the physician as their only earthly friend 
and comforter, and trust the hands of a stranger to perform 
the last mournful duties. Frequently have I remarked 
their confidence in my friendship, as though I was endeared 
to them by brotherly ties. Viewing these unfortunate men 
as the faithful defenders of the liberties of our country, far 
separated from their dearest friends, who would be so lost 
to the duties of humanity, patriotism, and benevolence, 
as not to minister to their comfort, and pour into their 
wounds the healing balm of consolation? It is my lot 
to have twenty wounded men committed to my care, by 
Dr. Potts, our surgeon-general; one of whom, a young 
man, received a musket-ball through his cheeks, cutting 
its way through the teeth on each side, and the substance 
of the tongue; his sufferings have been great, but he now 
begins to articulate tolerably well. Another had the 
whole side of his face torn off by a cannon-ball, laying 
his mouth and throat open to view. A brave soldier re- 
ceived a musket-ball in his forehead, observing that it did 
not penetrate deep, it was imagined that the ball rebovinded 
and fell out; but after several days, on examination, I 
detected the ball laying flat on the bone, and spread under 
the skin, which I removed. No one can doubt but he 
received his wound while facing the enemy, and it is for- 
tunate for the brave fellow that his skull proved too thick 
for the ball to penetrate. But in another instance, a sol- 



11^ MILITARY JOUENAL, 1777. 

dier's wound was not so honorable; he received a ball in 
the bottom of his foot, which could not have happened 
unless when in the act of running from the enemy. This 
poor fellow is held in derision by his comrades, and is 
made a subject of their wit for having the mark of a coio- 
ard. Among the most remarkable occurrences which 
came under my observation, the following is deserving of 
particular notice. Captain Greg, of one of the New York 
regiments, while stationed at Fort Stanwix, on the Mohawk 
river, went with two of his soldiers into the woods a short 
distance to shoot pigeons; a party of Indians started sud- 
denly from concealment in the bushes, shot them all down, 
tomahawked and scalped them, and left them for dead. 
The captain, after some time, revived, and perceiving his 
men were killed, himself robbed of his scalp, and suffering 
extreme agony from his numerous wounds, made an effort 
to move, and lay his bleeding head on one of the dead 
bodies, expecting soon to expire. A faithful dog who 
accompanied him, manifested great agitation, and in the 
tenderest manner licked his wounds, which afforded him 
great relief from exquisite distress. He then directed the 
dog, as if a human being, to go in search of some person 
to come to his relief. The animal, with every appearance 
of anxiety, ran about a mile, when he met with two men 
fishing in the river, and endeavored in the most moving 
manner, by whining and piteous cries, to prevail on them 
to follow him into the woods; struck with the singular 
conduct of the dog, they were induced to follow him part 
of the way, but fearing some decoy or danger, they were 
about to return, when the dog, fixing his eyes on them, 
renewed his entreaties by his cries, and taking hold of 
their clothes with his teeth, prevailed on them to follow 
him to the fatal spot. Such was the remarkable fidelity 
and sagacity of this animal. Captain Greg was immedi- 
ately carried to the fort, where his wounds were dressed; 
he was afterwards removed to our hospital, and put under 
my care. He was a rnost frightful spectacle, the whole 
of his scalp was removed; in two places on the fore part 
of his head, the tomahawk had penetrated through the 
skull ; there was a wound on his back with the same in- 
strument, besides a wound in his side and another through 
his arm by a musket-ball. This unfortunate man, after 



MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1777. 115 

suffering extremely for a long time, finally recovered, and 
appeared to be well satisfied in having his scalp restored 
to him, though uncovered with hair. The Indian mode 
of scalping their victims is this — with a knife they make 
a circular cut from the forehead, quite round, just above 
the ears, then taking hold of the skin with their teeth, 
they tear off the whole hairy scalp in an instan,t, with 
wonderful dexterity. This they carefully dry and pre- 
serve as a trophy, showing the number of their victims, 
and they have a method of painting on the dried scalp, 
different figures and colors, to designate the sex and age 
of the victim, and also the manner and circumstances of 
the murder. 

November 10th. — I witnessed yesterday the singular 
ceremony performed at a treaty with the Six Nations of 
Indians. Greneral Schuyler, and two other gentlemen, 
were the commissioners on our part. Of the Indians, 
about two hundred men and women attended. In the 
morning, I walked into the woods near this city, and was 
am-used to see them occupied in dressing and ornamenting 
themselves for the ceremony; painting their faces, adjust- 
ing the'ir hair, putting jewels into their ears, noses, &c. 
The face was painted of various colors; in general red, 
spotted with black and white in a fanciful manner. The 
men had their hair cut close to the skin, except a lock on 
the top of the head. The women wore long hair, orna- 
mented with beads and other trinkets. The bodies and 
limbs of both sexes were decently covered in the Indian 
style, and some displayed large silver rings round the arm, 
and a profusion of party-colored beads, fancifully arranged 
about the legs and feet. Several of the young men and 
girls were furnished with little bells about their feet, to 
make a jingling when dancing. About eleven o'clock, 
the ceremony commenced on the common; the Indians 
arranged themselves, by sitting on the ground in a circle, 
the men on one side, the women on the other, leaving a 
vacancy for our commissioners, who were seated in chairs. 
In the centre of the circle was a fire, over which a large 
pot containing meat broth, or soup, was placed. The 
speakers were three elderly chiefs; their speeches or talks 
were short, and at the close of each, the speaker delivered 
to the commissioners a belt or string of wampum, curiously 



IIQ MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

worked with porcupine quills, and handsomely painted, 
as a pledge of sincerity. The interpreter explained in 
English. In the intervals between the talks, the whole 
of the Indians and squaws threw their bodies into odd 
motions, and at the same time a noise came from their 
throats very similar to the grunting of swine, which, I 
suppose, was a token of approbation. They next com- 
menced dancing, by uniting hands two or three at a time, 
and jumping merrily round the pot over the fire, animated 
by the music of a small drum resembling a keg covered 
with a skin, and the jingling of the bells attached to their 
legs and feet. The interpreter, by desire of the chiefs, 
requested that our commissioners would not be offended 
at the liberty which they were about to take. One of the 
chiefs then took the commissioners, one at a time, by the 
hand, and danced them round the circle; then rubbing his 
hand about the grease and blacking of the pot, he black- 
ened the face, first of General Schuyler, and then the other 
gentlemen, which excited much laughter. Whether this 
was a trick to excite a laugh, or a part of their national 
ceremony, I was unable to ascertain. The Indians con- 
tinued dancing round the fire, drinking the soup fit)m the 
pof, and regaling themselves with rum all night, and many 
of them were found drunk in the morning. 

My professional duties have been so pressing as to pre- 
clude the possibility of journalizing to the full extent of 
my wishes. The numerous important events which have 
occurred to our main army under General Washington, 
in the Jerseys and Pennsylvania, have been from time to 
time announced in the public papers, and in our general 
orders. A very brief retrospect of the most interesting 
occurrences during the campaign in that quarter must 
suffice me. 

General Washington, having ascertained that it was the 
great object of Sir William Howe to possess himself of the 
city of Philadelphia, put in requisition every efi^brt in his 
power to counteract his measures for this purpose. His 
force during the whole campaign was considerably inferior 
to that of the enemy. Battles and skirmishing of more 
or less importance were frequent, but not decisive, though 
attended by no inconsiderable loss of human lives. On 
the 11th of September the two armies approached each 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 117 

otlier in the order of battle, and a general' action took 
place at Brandy wine, in which the officers and soldiers of 
both armies displayed a spirit of intrepidity and heroism, 
scarcely ever exceeded. The British claim the victory; 
bat it was only a partial one, and, besides a prodigious 
sacrifice of lives, they failed in their main object, that of 
forcing their way to Philadelphia. It is stated, that from 
particular circumstances, little more than one-half of Gen- 
eral Washington's force was opposed to nearly the whole 
strength of the enemy. Our loss is mentioned in round 
numbers at one thousand. The Marquis de la Fayette 
and General Woodford were slightly wounded. The loss 
of the royalists, according to accounts published, greatly 
exceeds that of the Americans. 

On the 16th of September, Monsieur de Condry, an 
officer of rank and distinction in the French service, and 
acting as a volunteer in our army, having occasion to cross 
the Schuylkill ferry, rode a high-spirited horse into the 
boat, which, taking fright, leaped into the river, and the 
rider was unfortunately drowned. Congress resolved that 
the corpse of Monsieur de Condry be interred at the ex- 
pense of the United States, and with the honors of war. 

Sir William Howe, on the 26th of September, after 
much manoeuvring and skirmishing, accomplished his 
great enterprise, and made his triumphal entry into the 
city of Philadelphia, where he met with a cordial welcome 
from the Quakers, and a considerable number of the in- 
habitants, who have long been known to be in favor of 
the royalists. 

On the 4th of October, General Washington planned an 
attack on the main body of the enemy stationed at Ger- 
mantown, near Philadelphia. The enterprise was planned 
with such judgment and skill, as to afford promise of a 
complete victory. The execution of it was conducted by 
his excellency, who attacks like a hero and retreats like 
a general, and whose presence infuses into the ranks the 
spirit of heroism and enthusiasm. Were it not for some 
unfortunate incidents, and the faulty conduct of a few in- 
dividuals^ his most sanguine hopes would have been real- 
ized. The enemy was actually taken by surprise, and in 
one point a party was routed, and one hundred and ten 
made prisoners, but were afterwards retaken. Almost the 



;j^;|^3 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1777. 

whole force of both armies was involved in the tremendous 
contest, in which British and American braver}^ were 
equally conspicuous, and sealed the fate of many valiant 
officers and men. "The morning," says General Wash- 
ington's letter to Congress, "was extremely foggy, which 
prevented our improving the advantage we had gained, 
so well as we otherwise should have done. This circum- 
stance, by concealing from us the true situation of the 
enemy, obliged us to act with more caution and less ex- 
pedition than we could have wished, and gave the enemy 
time to recover from the effects of our first impression; 
and what was still more unfortunate, it served to keep our 
different parties in ignorance of each other's movements, 
and hindered their acting in concert ; it also occasioned 
them to mistake one another for the enemy, which I be- 
lieve more than any thing else, contributed to the misfor- 
tunes which ensued. In the midst of the most promising 
appearances, when every thing gave the most flattering 
hopes of victory, the troops began suddenly to retreat, and 
entirely left the field, in spite of every effort that could be 
made to rally them. On the whole, it may be said, this 
day was rather unfortunate than injurious. The principal 
impediment to our success was, that at the moment of vic- 
tory, the enemy threw a party into Mr. Chew's stone house, 
who were in a situation not easily to be forced ; and had 
it in their power, from the windows, to give us considera- 
ble annoyance, arid in a measure to obstruct our advance." 
A general officer who was engaged in the battle says: 
"Fortune smiled on our arms for hours. The enemy were 
broken, dispersed and flying on all quarters: we were in 
possession of their whole encampment, together with their 
artillery park, &c. But confusion at last ensued, and we 
ran away from the arms of victory ready to receive us." 
It is not to be concealed, however, that our army suffered 
a very considerable loss, the whole number is not ascer- 
tained. General Nash, of North Carolina, received a 
mortal wound, and General Sullivan's two aids were killed. 
On the side of the royalists. General Agnew, General de 
Heister's son, and several other officers were killed. Gen- 
eral Kniphausen was wounded, and a great number of 
rank and file were wounded and slain. 
« The Americans have erected several forts and redoubts 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1777. 119 

on the banks of the Delaware river, and on Mud Island, 
to guard against the passage of the British fleet up this 
river to Philadelphia, In one of these forts at Red Bank, 
Colonel Greene, of Rhode Island, was posted with about 
four hundred men. General Howe, perceiving the great 
importance of reducing these works, detached Count Donop, 
an officer held in high estimation in the royal army, with 
twelve or fifteen hundred Hessian troops, well supplied 
with artillery, to take possession of it. Having arrived 
near the redoubts, he summoned the commander to sur- 
render, to which he resolutely replied, he would defend 
the place to the last extremity. This fort being originally 
constructed on a large scale, it was found necessary to run 
a line across the middle, and divide it into two, so that 
the external part was left without defence. The Hessian 
commander ordered his troops to advance under cover of 
the smoke of his cannon and storm the redoubt; they 
soon gained the unoccupied part with loud huzzas on their 
supposed victory ; but on approaching the new lines within, 
where our troops were stationed, the brave garrison poured 
on them such hot and well-directed fire for about forty 
minutes, that they were completely overpowered, and fled 
in every direction. Colonel Donop, their commander, 
was mortally wounded and taken, and more than one 
hundred were killed on the spot, and a greater number 
wounded and prisoners. The enemy retreated with great 
precipitation, leaving many of their wounded on the road, 
and returned to Philadelphia with the loss of one-half their 
party. Colonel Greene, and his brave troops, acquired 
great honor for their gallant defence of the fort, which is 
a key to other posts on the river. Congress have rewarded 
the colonel with an elegant sword. The British army 
found it difficult to procure the necessary supplies in 
Philadelphia, and the continental galleys and strong che- 
vaux defrize in the Delaware, rendered a passage of their 
ships up to the city almost impossible. Admiral Lord 
Howe determined to attempt the removal of these for- 
midable obstructions, and he ordered six of his ships to 
engage in this service. They were so unmercifully han- 
dled by our galleys, and from Fort Mifflin, at Mud Island, 
that two of them, one of sixty-four guns, run aground and 



120 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1777, 

were set on fire by the crews, who deserted them, and soon 
after they blew up. 

December. — Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, has been evacu- 
ated by the continental garrison, after having been bravely 
defended against the prodigious force of the enemy's ship- 
ping. Our troops secured all their stores, destroyed the 
block-houses, and demolished the bank, to let in the water, 
b}'' which the island is entirely inundated. The fort at 
Red Bank is also abandoned, and the continental fleet has 
been burned, to prevent its falling into the hands of the 
enemy. The British are now in full possession of the city 
of Philadelphia, and their fleet has obtained access to it 
by way of the Delaware river. The continental army, 
since the close of the campaign, has retired for winter- 
quarters to a place called Valley Forge, about twenty miles 
from Philadelphia. Here they are subjected to the fatigue 
and labor of clearing the woods and constructing log huts 
for their accommodation during the winter. 

_An occurrence of a very singular complexion has lately 
been published in a Pennsylvania newspaper, which occa- 
sions much indignant speculation. The Reverend Jacob 
Duche, a popular Episcopal minister in Philadelphia, was 
the first chaplain appointed by Congress. He performed 
his official duties to general acceptance, frequently and 
fervently imploring Heaven to succeed the American cause. 
Whether from alarm at the success of the royalists, or from 
any change in his sentiments respecting the justice of our 
cause, is uncertain, but after having officiated about three 
months, he gave in his resignation. He left Philadelphia, 
and "took shelter under the arm of that power which from 
the sacred pulpit he had exhorted his hearers to oppose." 
But it is no less extraordinary, that this apostate addressed 
a letter to his Excellency General Washington, with whom 
he was on terms of friendship, in which, to use the au- 
thor's own words, "Ae has spoken freely of Congress, and of 
the army.''' He enjoins it on his excellency to abandon 
the American cause, and resign his command of the army ; 
or at the head of it, to force Congress immediately to de- 
sist from hostilities and to rescind their declaration of 
Independence. If this is not done, he says, "You have 
an infallible resource still left, negotiate for America at the 
head of your armyT He represents the Congress in the 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1777. 



121 



most despicable point of view, as consising of weak, ob- 
scure persons, not fit associates for his excellency, and the 
very dregs of the first Congress, The New England del- 
egates he treats with the greatest indelicacy. The officers 
and men which compose our army, he describes as desti- 
tute of principle and courage; undisciplined, taken from 
the lowest of the people, unfit for a seat at his excellency's 
table, &c., &c. Thus has this vile calumniator disgraced 
his profession, and involved his own character in that 
ignominy which he designed for his superiors. His ex- 
cellency in noticing this transaction in a letter of October 
the 16th, observes, "To Mr, Duche's ridiculous, illiberal 
performance, I made a very short reply, by desiring the 
bearer, Mrs, Ferguson, if she should hereafter, by any 
accident meet with Mr, Duche, to tell him I should have 
returned his letter unopened if I had had any idea of its 
contents,* 

2Qth. — The wounded soldiers committed to my care in 

* The following is the form of prayer made use of by the Reverend 
Mr. Duche in the Congress after Independence was declared: 

"O Lord! our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, and 
Lord of lords, who dost from thy tlirone behold all the dwellers on 
earth, and reignest with power supreme and uncontroled over all king- 
doms, empires and governments. Look down in mercy, we beseech 
thee, on these our American states, who have fled to thee from the rod 
(if the oppressor, and thrown themselves on thy gracious protection, 
desiring to be henceforth dependent only on thee; to thee have they 
a[»pealed for the righteousness of their cause; to thee do they now look 
up for that countenance and support, which thou alone canst give; take 
them, therefore, heavenly Father, under thy nurturing care; give them 
wisdom in council, and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs 
of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their 
cause, and if they still persist in their sanguinary purposes, O! let the 
voice of thine own unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain 
them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day 
of battle. Be thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils 
of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best 
and surest foundation, that the scene of blood may be speedily closed, 
that order, harmony and peace may be effectually restored, and truth 
and justice, religion and piety, prevail and flourish amongst thy people; 
preserve the health of their bodies and the vigor of their minds ; shower 
down on them, and the millions they here represent, such temporal bless- 
ings, as thou seest expedient for them in this world, and crown them 
with everlasting glory in the world to come. • All this we ask in the 
name, and through the merits of Jesus Christ thy Son and our Saviour, 
Amen," 



1^2 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1778. 

October last, have all recovered, and as a compliment for 
my assiduity, and attention to my patients, I have received 
from Dr. Potts, our surgeon-general, a generous and hand- 
some present. The duties ot^ our hospital being now greatly 
diminished, I have obtained a furlough for forty days, and 
shall to-morrow commence my journey to visit my friends 
in New England, 

February 4:th, 1778. — Plaving performed a journey on 
horseback to Boston and Barnstable, in Massachusetts, I 
returned here two days before the expiration of my fur- 
lough, and resumed my duties in the hospital. Several 
gentlemen belonging to the hospital being desirous of im- 
proving in the accomplishment of dancing, Mr. John Trot- 
ter has agreed to open a special school for our accommoda- 
tion.and we are to attend every afternoon. Master Trotter 
has for many years been in the practice of teaching the art 
in the city of New York, and has acquired great fame as 
a man of knowledge and experience in his profession. He 
is about fifty-eight years of age, a small, genteel, well-pro- 
portioned man, every limb and joint proclaiming that he 
IS formed for his profession; and the ease and grace with 
which he moves on the floor, evince that he is an accom- 
plished master, and that he has lost none of his agility by 
age. Under the tuition of such a master, we flatter our- 
selves that in due time, if we improve our advantages, 
we shall be able to figure in a ball-room, 

10th. — I have now obtained a particular description of 
the American Torpedo, and other ingenious submariue 
machinery, invented by Mr. David Bushnell, for the pur- 
pose of destroying shipping while at anchor, some acct)unt 
of which may be found in this Journal, page 62. The 
external appearance of the torpedo bears some resem- 
blance to two upper tortoise shells, of equal size, placed 
in contact, leaving, at that part which represents the head 
of the animal, a flue or opening, sufficiently capacious to 
contain the operator, and air to support him thirty minutes. 
At the bottom, opposite to the entrance, is placed a quantity 
of lead for ballast. The operator sits upright, and holds 
an oar lor rowing forward or backward, and is I'urnished 
with a rudder for steering. An aperture at the bottom, 
with its valve, admits water for the purpose of descending, 
and two brass forcing pumps serve to eject the water with- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 123 

in, when necessary for ascending. The vessel is made 
completely water-tight, furnished with glass windows for 
the admission of light, with ventilators and air-pipes, 
and is so ballasted, with lead fixed at the bottom, as to 
render it solid, and obviate all danger of oversetting. 
Behind the submarine vessel, is a place above the rudder 
for carrying a large powder magazine; this is made of 
two pieces of oak timber, large enough, when hollowed 
out, to contain one hundred and fifty pounds of powder, 
with the apparatus used for firing it, and is secured in its 
place by a screw turned by the operator. It is lighter 
than water, that it may rise against the object to which it 
is intended to be fastened. Within the magazine, is an 
apparatus constructed to run any proposed length of time 
under twelve hours; when it has run out its time, it un- 
pinions a strong lock, resembling a gun-lock, which gives 
fire to the powder. This apparatus is so pinioned, that it 
cannot possibly move, 'till, by casting otf the magazine 
from the vessel, it is set in motion. The skilful operator 
can swim so low on the surface of the water, as to ap- 
proach very near a ship in the.night, without fear of being 
discovered ; and may, if he choose, approach the stern or 
stem, above water, with very little danger. He can sink 
very quickly, keep at any necessary depth, and row a great 
distance in any direction he desires without coming to the 
surface. When he rises to the surface, he can soon obtain 
a fresh supply of air, and, if necessary, he may then de- 
scend again and pursue his course. Mr, Bushnell found 
that it required many trials and considerable instruction 
to make a man of common ingenuity a skilful operator. 
The first person, his brother, whom he employed, was very 
ingenious, and made himself master of the business, but 
was taken sick before he had an opportunity to make use 
of his skill. Having procured a substitute, and given him 
such instruction as time would allow, he was directed to 
try an experiment on the Eagle, a sixty-four-gun ship, on 
board of which Lord Howe commanded, lying in the har- 
bor of New York. He went under the ship, and at- 
tempted to fix the wooden screw into her bottom, but 
struck, as he supposes, a bar of iron which passes from 
the rudder hinge, and is spiked under the ship's quarter. 
Had he moved a few inches, which he might have done 



124: MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 

without rowing, there is no doubt he would have found 
wood where he might have fixed the screw ; or if the ship 
had been sheathed with copper, he might easily have 
pierced it. But not being well skilled in the management 
of the vessel, in attempting to move to another place, he 
lost the ship. After seeking her in vain, for some time, 
he rowed some distance, and rose to the surface of the 
water, but found day-light had advanced so far, that he 
durst not renew the attempt. He says that he could easily 
have fastened the magazine under the stern of the ship, 
above water, as he rowed up to the stern and touched it 
before he descended. Had he fastened it there, the explo- 
sion of one hundred and fifty pounds of powder, the 
quantity contained in the magazine, must have been fatal 
to the ship. In his return from the ship to New York, 
he passed near Governor's Island, and thought he was 
discovered by the enemy on the island. Being in haste, 
to avoid the danger he feared, he cast off the magazine, 
as he imagined it retarded, him in the swell, which was 
very considerable. After the magazine had been cast off 
one hour, the time the internal apparatus was set to run, 
it blew up with great violence, throwing a vast column of 
water to an amazing height in the air, and leaving the 
enemy to conjecture whether the stupendous noise was 
produced by a bomb, a meteor, a water-spout, or an earth- 
quake. Some other attempts were made in Hudson's 
river, in one of w^hich the operator, in going towards the 
ship, lost sight of her and went a great distance beyond 
her, and the tide ran so strong as to baffle all his efforts. 
Mr. Bushnell being in ill health, and destitute of resources, 
was obliged to abandon his pursuit at that time, and wait 
for a more favorable opportunity, which never occurred. 
In the year 1777, Mr. Bushnell made an attempt from a 
whale-boat, against the Cerberus frigate lying at anchor, 
by drawing a machine against her side, by means of a line. 
The machine was loaded with powder, to be exploded by 
a gun-lock, which was to be unpinioned by an apparatus 
to be turned by being brought alongside of the frigate. 
This machine fell in with a schooner at anchor astern of 
the frigate, and concealed from his sight. By some means 
it became fixed, and exploding, demolished the schooner. 
Commodore Simmons, being on boarql the Cerberus, ad- 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1778. 125 

dressed an official letter to Sir Peter Parker, describing 
this singular disaster. Being at anchor to the westward 
of New London, with a schooner which he had taken, 
discovered about eleven o'clock in the evening a line tow- 
ing astern from the bows. He believed that some person 
had veered away by it, and immediately began to haul in. 
A sailor, belonging to the schooner, taking it for a fishing- 
line, laid hold of it, and drew in about fifteen fathoms. 
It was buoyed up by small pieces of wood tied to it at 
stated distances. At the end of the rope a machine was 
fastened, too heavy for one man to pull up, for it exceeded 
one huudred pounds in weight. The other people of the 
schooner coming to his assistance, they drew it on deck. 
While the men were examining the machine,, about five 
minutes from the time the wheel had been put in motion, 
it exploded, blew the vessul into pieces, and set her on 
fire. Three men were killed, and the fourth blown into 
the water, much injured. On examining round the ship, 
after this accident, the other part of the line was discovered, 
buoyed up in the same manner. This the commodore 
ordered to be instantly cut away, for fear of hauling up 
another of the infernals^ as he termed it. These machines 
were constructed with wheels, furnished with irons sharp- 
ened at the end, and projecting about an inch, in order to 
strike the sides of the vessel when hauling them up, there- 
by setting the wheels in motion, which in. the space of five 
minutes causes the explosion. Had the whole apparatus 
been brought to operate on a ship at the same time, it 
must have occasioned prodigious destruction. Mr. Bush- 
nell contrived another ingenious expedient to effect his 
favorite object. He fixed a large number of kegs under 
water, charged with powder, to explode on coming in con- 
tact with any thing while floating along with the tide. He 
set his squadron of kegs afloat in the Delaware, above the 
English shipping, in December, 1777. The kegs were in 
the night set adrift, to fall with the ebb, on the shipping; 
but the proper distance could not be well ascertained, and 
they were set adrift at too great a distance from the vessels, 
by which means they were obstructed and dispersed by 
the ice. They approached, however, in the day time, and 
one of them blew up a boat, and others exploded, which 
occasioned among the British seamen the greatest alarm 
11* 



126 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1773. 

and consternation. They actually manned tlie wharves 
and shipping at Philadelphia, and discharged their small 
arms and cannon at every thing they could see floating 
in the river, during the ebb tide. This incident has re- 
ceived the name of the Battle of the ICegs, and furnished 
a subject for an excellent and humorous song by the 
Honorable Francis Hopkinson, which is inserted in the 
Appendix. 

April — Major-General Lee, captured by the enemy in 
December, 1776, has been exchanged for Major-General 
Prescott, who was taken at Rhode Island, by Colonel 
Barton. 

The glorious intelligence being announced, that Con- 
gress have negotiated a treat)/ of alliance luith the Court of 
France^ General Washington has issued the following 
orders for the army to celebrate the momentous event: 

^^ Head Quarters, Camp, Valley Forfre, May bih, 1778. 

"It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe propitiously 
to defend tiie cause of the United American St.ites, and finally, by rais- 
ing us up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish 
our liberty and independence on a lasting found;ition; it becomes us to 
set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the Divine goodness, and 
celebrating the important event which we owe to His benign interposition. 

"The several brigades are to be assembled for this purpose at nine 
o'clock to-morrow morning, when their chaplains will communicate tiie 
intelligence contained in the Postscript to the Pennsylvania Gazette of 
the second instant, and offer up a Thanksgiving, and deliver a discourse 
suitable to the occasion. 

" At half-past ten o'clock a cannon will be fired, which is to be a sig- 
nal for the men to be under arms. The britjade inspectors will then 
inspect their dress and arms, form the battalions according to the instruc- 
tions given them, and announce to the commanding officers of brigades 
that the battalions are formed. The brigadiers and commandants will 
then appoint the field-officers to command the battalions; after which, 
each battalion will be ordered to load and ground their arms. — .•\t half- 
. past eleven, another cannon will be tired as a signal i\)r the m:;rch; on 
which the several brigades will begin their march by wheeling to the 
right by platoons, and proceed by the nearest way to the left of their 
ground, in the new position that will be pointed out by the brigade 
inspectors. — A third signal will be given, on which there will be a dis- 
charge of thirteen cannon: when the thirteenth has fired, a running fire 
of the infantry will begin on the right of Woodford's, and continue 
throughout the whole front line; it will then be taken up on the left of 
the second line, and continue to the right — on a signal given, the whole 
army will huzza — Lmg live the King of France! 

" The artillery will then begin again, and fire thirteen rounds. This 
will be succeeded by a second general discharge of the musketry in a 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 12/ 

running fire — Huzza ! long live the Friendly European Powers ! Then 
the last discharge of thirteen pieces of artillery will be given, followed 
by a general running fire — Huzza for the American States!" 

Agreebly to the above orders, his Excellency General 
Washington, his lady and suite. Lord Stirling, the Coun- 
tess of Stirling, with other general officers and ladies, at- 
tended at nine o'clock at the Jersey brigade, when the 
Postscript mentioned above, was read, and after prayer a 
suitable discourse delivered to Lord Stirling's division by 
the Eev. Mr. Hunter, 

On the signal at half-after eleven, the whole army re- 
paired to their alarm-posts; on which General Washing- 
ton, accompanied by the general officers, reviewed the 
whole army at their respective posts; and after the firing 
of the cannon and musketry, and the huzzas were given 
agreeably to the orders, the army returned to their re- 
spective brigade parades, and were dismissed. 

All the officers of the army then assembled, and partook 
of a collation provided by the general, at which several 
patriotic toasts were given, accompanied with three cheers. 
His excellency took leave of the officers at five o'clock, 
on which there was universal huzzaing — Long live General 
Washington / — and clapping of hands till the general rode 
some distance. The non-commissioned officers and pri- 
vates followed the example of their officers as the general 
passed their brigades. Approbation indeed was conspicu- 
ous in every countenance, and universal joy reigned 
throughout the camp. 

My friend. Major Minnis, from head-quarters at Yalley 
Forge, has detailed to me the particular circumstances of 
the distress and privations which our army suffered, while 
in winter-quarters at that place, the last winter. In the 
month of December, the troops were employed in erecting 
log huts for winter-quarters, when about one-half of the 
men were destitute of small-clothes, shoes, and stockings; 
some thousands were without blankets, and were obliged 
to warm themselves over fires all night, after the fatigues 
of the day, instead of reposing in comfortable lodgings. 
At one time nearly three thousand men were returned 
unfit for duty, from the want of clothing, and it was not 
uncommon to track the march of the men over ice and 
frozen ground, by the blood from their naked feet. Sev- 



■]^28 MILITARY JOURNAL. 1778. 

eral times during the winter, tliey experienced little less 
than a famine in camp; and more than once our general 
officers were alarmed by the fear of a total dissolution of 
the army from the want of provisions. For two or three 
weeks in succession, the men were on half-allowance, and 
for four or five days without bread, and again as many 
without beef or pork. It was with great difficulty that 
men enough could be found in a condition fit to discharge 
the military camp duties from day to day, and for this 
purpose those who were naked, borrowed from those who 
had clothes. It cannot be deemed strange that sickness 
and mortality were the consequence of such privations, in 
the midst of an inclement season. Under these unexam- 
pled sufferings, the soldiers exercised a degree of patience 
and fortitude, which reflects on them the highest honor, 
and which ought ever to entitle them to the gratitude of 
their country. The army indeed was not without conso- 
lation, for his excellency the commander-in-chief, whom 
every soldier venerates and loves, manifested a fatherly 
concern and fellow-feeling for their sutferings, and made 
every exertion in his power to remedy the evil, and to 
administer the much-desired relief Being authorized by 
Congress, he reluctantly resorted to the unpopular expe- 
dient of taking provisions from the inhabitants by force, 
and thus procured a small sup])ly for immediate necessity.'^ 
This was the unhappy condition of that army, on whom 
General Washington had to rely for the defence of every 
thing held most dear by Americans, and this, too, while 
situated within sixteen miles of a powerful adversary, with 
a greatly superior army of veterans, watching with a vigil- 
ant eye for an opportunity to elfect its destruction. But 
a fact which excites the greatest indignation and astonish- 

* It was on this occasion tlmt a foreign officer of distinction said to 
a friend of mine, tlint lie despaired of our Independence, for while walk- 
ing with General Washington, along the soldiers' huts, he heard from 
many voices echoing through the open crevices between the logs, ^^ No 
pay, no clothes, no prncisions, no mm," and when a miserable being was 
seen flitting from one hut to another, his nakednesss was only covered 
by a dirty bl mket. It will be ditlicult to form a just conception of the 
emotions of grief and sorrow which must have harrowed up the soul 
of our illustrious patriot and philanthropist. In this darkening hour of 
adversity, any man who possesses less firmness than Washington, would 
despair of our Independence. 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1778. 129 

ment is, that, at the critical period above mentioned, a 
party in Congress, in concert with General Conway, was 
endeavoring to remove General Washington from the 
supreme command. If the American army is to be anni- 
hilated, and the cause of our country sacrificed to gratify 
individual ambition, then is there a faction ripe for the 
execution of the object. No man, perhaps, ever had a 
greater combination of vexatious evils and uncontrollable 
obstacles to encounter, than this incomparable patriot and 
warrior; and no one surely ever posspssed in a more emi- 
nent degree tlie peculiar talents and qualities requisite 
for the discharge of the important duties assigned him in 
his elevated station. He has acquired the full confidence 
of every faithful dfRcer and soldier under his command, 
and his wisdom and judgment arc considered adequate to 
the most trying exigencies. He rises in the midst of dis- 
tress, and gains strength by misfortunes. The Assembly 
of Pennsylvania, and a certain party in our Congress, en- 
tertain an idea thnt the royal army was permitted to take 
possession of Piiihidelphia by the timidity, or by the ex- 
cessive caution, of our commander-in-chief. It is well 
known, that from necessity he has evinced himself more 
the di.-ci|)le of Fabius ]\[aximus, than of Marcellus. He 
temporizes, and acts on the defensive, when a superior 
f )rce and the pecu'iar ciicnmstances of his army compel 
him to adopt such conduct. But no one will deny that 
he has displayed the greatest courage in opposing danger, 
and the greatest presence of mind in retreating from it. 
He has perplexed the enemy by his judicious mancenvres, 
and braved liim frequently in his camp; and it is by his 
sujierior generalship, and the unfailing resources of his 
mind, that the enemv was not sooner in possession of 
Pliiladelphia, and that our feeble, half starved, naked army, 
lias not been entirely destroyed. The candidates who 
have been named to supersede his excellency in the su- 
jjreme command, are Generals Lee, Mifflin, Gates and 
Conway. Lee has many advocates in his favor. Mifflin 
has no claim, and it is believed no desire, to be elevated 
to this highly responsible station. The splendid achieve- 
ment of General Gates at Saratoga is auspicious to his 
preferment, but even the officers and soldiers who served 
under him in the northern army, would not willingly 



130 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 

yield their attacbment to their beloved Washington, in 
whose wisdom and judgment they repose such unbounded 
confidence. It is most unfortunate that Congress appears 
to be split into factions at this eventful period, when the 
salvation of our country depends on the harmony and 
unanimity in our councils. A strong party exists in this 
body, who are exerting every nerve to effect their favorite 
scheme of elevating General Gates to the supreme com- 
mand. This gentleman is made the object of their applause 
and caresses, though he has been deficient in duty and 
respect in his oflicial station, in not communicating to the 
commander-in-chief the important intelligence of the cap- 
ture of General Burgoyne and his army. General Conway, 
a French gentleman, has been appointed by Congress in- 
spector-general, with the rank of major-general, over a 
number of brigadiers of regular standing, and this, even 
when it was notorious that he was inimical to the com- 
mander-in-chief, and the author of letters in which his 
excellency's character is basely aspersed and calumniated. 
These unhappy dissensions and jealousies occcasion the 
greatest solicitude in our army, and consequences of a fatal 
tendency are seriously apprehended. The brigadiers and 
a number of colonels have remonstrated in strong terms 
to Congress respecting the preferment of General Conway. 
The machinations of this insolent foreigner have at length 
recoiled on his own head. Having, by his vile intrigue 
and insufterable effrontery, rendered himself an object of 
disgust in his station, he has been induced to resign his 
commission, and has withdrawn himself from the army.* 
On this serious occasion, the character of Washington was 
found unassailable, and it shines with redoubled lustre. 
His excellency displays a noble magnanimity in overlook- 
ing a want of confidence in his skill and judgment in his 
profession. Envy and malice are ever attendant on exalted 
station and superior merit. 

* General Conway, after his resignation, was challenged by General 
Cadwallader, for his conduct, and in the combat he received a wound 
which he supposed to be a mortal one; and conceiving death to be near 
at hand, he conducted honorably in addressing to General Washington 
a letter of apology. Further particulars relative to this unpleasant busi- 
ness may be found in the characters of Lee, Gates and Conway, in the 
Appendix. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 131 

May IQth. — In various parts of this state the inhabitants 
are constantly infested with a banditti of tories and other 
villains, following the practice of robbing and plundering, 
stealing horses and cattle, and often committing murder 
on those who oppose them ; and even on innocent persons. 
A number of these vile wretches have been apprehended 
and condemned; two of them were executed yesterday. 
They had been convicted of robbing the house of Mr. 
Van Ness, whose son, being a captain in our militia, was 
taken by them and cruelly murdered. The criminals were 
conducted to the gallows b}^ a guard of soldiers, and were 
attended by a prodigious number of spectators. They 
manifested, at the gallows, the most agonizing horrors. 
One of them held in his hand a Bible till the halter de- 
prived him of the power of holding it. Had this sacred 
volume been his companion in early life, it might have 
been the means of averting this awful and untimely death. 

20th. — I attended the judicial court at the City Hall for 
the trial of a number of criminals accused of house rob- 
bery, horse stealing, and murder, among the defenceless 
inhabitants on our frontiers. No less than ten of these 
miscreants were arraigned at the bar. The jury brought 
in a verdict of guilty against the whole number. Judge 
John Jay, who officiated on the bench, pronounced the 
awful sentence of death, and addressed them in a very 
solemn and affecting manner, calculated to rouse them to 
a sense of their dreadful condition, and in a moving and 
pathetic strain, enjoined it on them to prepare to meet 
their God. This scene was rendered the more melancholy, 
by observing among the criminals a grey-headed man of 
seventy years, and his son about twenty. The criminality 
of the son admits of some extenuation from his ignorance 
and the example of his father. The youth was afterwards 
pardoned; but the old man, with several others, expiated 
their crimes by a public execution on the gallows. 

In the town of Schoharie, about thirty miles from this 
city, a company of our troops, under the command of Cap- 
tain Patrick, has been for some time stationed for the pur- 
pose of guarding the inhabitants against the incursions 
and cruel ravages of the Indians and tories. We have 
just received the melancholy intelligence, that about two 
hundred Indians and their tory allies, fell on our party by 



■j^32 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 

surprise, killed the captain and all but fifteen men, and 
most of the inhabitants shared the same miserable fate. 
The bodies were cut and mangled in a savage manner, 
and some of them were scalped. 

June 1st. — Orders have been received for the removal 
of our hospital from this city to the highlands, on the 
Hudson river, where our whole army, it is said, is about 
to assemble. During my residence in this city, I have 
contracted but a limited acquaintance with the inhabitants. 
They are chiefly Low Dutch, and not much inclined to 
associate with strangers. There are, however, several 
families of respectability and fasliion, who have taken 
refuge here from New York, among whom are some ami- 
able and accomplished ladies, in whose society I have been 
permitted to enjoy a social intercourse. The charming 
Miss M. H. has captivated the heart, and is destined to 
receive the hand of my excellent friend Dr. W. P. S., an 
auspicious union of congenial souls. But in military life 
our associates must be chiefly those of a military character. 
In a society of about thirty professional gentlemen, har- 
monizing in similar pursuits and incUnations, our sympa- 
thies and mutual pleasures are mingled, and raised to a 
state of the purest enjoyment. We are now to be sepa- 
rated, and subjected to vicitsitudes and incidents beyond 
our calculation. Three of our number are to continue 
with the sick in this place, and the remainder are destined 
to a new situation. 

bill. — We embarked with our hospital stores and bag- 
gage on board of a sloop, and proceeded with a fair wind 
down the Hudson. In the evening we landed at Kinder- 
hook, a small town on the bank of the river. 

Itli. — Arrived at Fishkill, where we replenished our 
stock of provisions. 

10^/i. — Proceeded on our voyage, took in a pilot at New 
Windsor, lodged on board, and on the 11th reached the 
place of our destination, landed our stores and baggage, 
and took possession of the house which we are to occupy 
for a hospital. This house was erected by Colonel Beverly 
Robinson, a respectable gentleman from Scotland, for his 
summer residence, but being induced to adhere to the 
British interest, he has, with his excellent family, removed 
to New York, and thereby forfeited his large estate. This 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 133 

is a spacious and very convenient building, situated on the 
eastern bank of the Hudson, about two miles from West 
Point, which is on the opposite shore. Robinson's house, 
with the out-buildings, is found very convenient for a 
hospital ; the farm and gardens are very extensive, afford- 
ing excellent pasturing for horses and cows, and contain- 
ing three or four large orchards, abounding in fruit of 
various descriptions. In the location of a country-seat, 
the judgment of Colonel Robinson is not much to be ad- 
mired, unless he was guided altogether by a taste for 
romantic singidarity and novelty. It is surrounded on 
two sides by hideous mountains and dreary forests, not a 
house in view, and but one within a mile. The Hudson, 
which washes the borders of this farm, affords a facility 
of communication with New York and with Albany ; and 
the excursion up or down the river is truly romantic; 
nature exhibits a diversified scenery of wild mountains, 
craggy precipices, and noble lofty cliffs, on each side the 
river, which at this place is about one mile wide. The 
bank on the west side is formed by a large mountain 
called Butterhill, and that on the east by another named 
Brecknock. At a small distance south of Robinson's is 
a remarkable bluff, whose rocky cliffs ascend almost per- 
pendicularly from the water's edge to the height of about 
twelve or fifteen hundred feet. This, from its singular 
form and appearance, is known by the name oi Anthony's 
Nose. Not far from Robinson's house is Sugar-loaf moun- 
tain, covered with various kinds of forest trees. 

12//i. — A little party, consisting of three gentlemen of 
the hospital and myself, resolved on the attempt to ascend 
to the summit of Sugar-loaf mountain, which from its rude 
acclivity is deemed almost inaccessible. It was with great 
ditticulty and fatigue that we effected our purpose, holding 
by the limbs and bushes, while the decayed wood and 
loose stones, sliding from under our feet, kept us in con- 
tinual fear of a fatal fall. Having reached the summit, 
we contemplated with amazement the sublime scene which 
opened to our view. Looking down as from a cloud, we 
beheld the Hudson, resembling a vast canal cut through 
mountains of stupendous magnitude; a few boats playing 
on its surface were scarcely visible. But to the pen of 
the poet, and the pencil of the painter, be consigned the 



Jg^ MILITARY JOURNAL, 177S. 

task of describing the Avonders of nature there exhibited 
in the form of huge mountains, rocky cliffs, and venerable 
forests, in one confused mass. From this summit, too, we 
have a most interesting view of the fortress and garrison 
of West Point. Fort Putnam, on its most elevated part, 
the several redoubts beneath, and the barracks on the 
plain below, with numerous armed soldiers in active mo- 
tion, all defended by the most formidable machinery of 
war, combine to form a picturesque scenery of peculiar 
interest, which can be heightened only when from the 
cannon's mouth issue fire and smoke, and the earth trem- 
bles with its roar and thunder. While musing on the 
rich scenery, we observed a number of large rocks, which 
seemed to have but a slender hold at their basis, we con- 
ceived that it would not be difficult to undermine and 
precipitate them down the steep precipice. Having a 
consultation to decide on the most eligible mode of effect- 
ing our purpose, we resolutely commenced the laborious 
enterprise; destitute of every kind of utensil, we pro- 
cured each one a limb of a sapling, with which we bur- 
rowed away the earth, and soon perceived the happy 
effects of our industry ; the rock began to totter. Among 
other curiosities, we viewed the path made by the descent 
of Putnam's rock. Colonel Rufus Putnam ascended this 
mountain with forty men, who were, for amusement, em- 
ployed about two days in precipitating from its summit a 
rock of many tons weight into the river. Such was the 
force of this ponderous body, that in its passage it cut 
down trees of a large size, and nothing could impede its 
course till it fell with a tremendous crash into the river. 
The rock was of such size, that a part of it remained 
above water, and Colonel Putnam, standing on its top, 
holding in his hand a bottle of spirits, gave to it the name 
of Putnain's Rock. 

July 2d. — By Dr. Brown, surgeon-general, just arrived 
from Philadelphia, we are favored with the intelligence 
that commissioners have arrived from the British govern- 
ment with new proposals for the purpose of a reconcil- 
iation between the two countries. It appears that in 
consequence of the capture of General Burgoyne and his 
army, the Parliament had manifested great mortification 
and alarm, and have been induced to pass some acts, with 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 135 

a view of reconciliation, more consistent with the just 
claims of America than those formerly declared. The 
royal commissioners have presented to our Congress their 
proposals for a mutual adjustment of existing difficulties, 
couched in such plausible, and apparently conciliatory 
language, as to excite serious apprehensions that it may 
occasion considerable disaffection among the people, if 
not division in our public councils. Fears are entertained 
by many, in and out of Congress, that the expedient now 
adopted by Parliament may be productive of the conse- 
quences v/hich the authors probably intended, that of 
relaxation and delay in our military preparations. There 
is, however, a very important and radical defect in the 
terms proposed by the commissioners: they are not author- 
ized to treat with Congress on the principles of independ- 
ency, but still adhere to the idea of a reunion of the states, 
as colonies, under the government of Great Britain. Firm 
in their determination never to relinquish this fundamental 
principle, the Congress unanimously rejected the proffered 
conditions, and it is morally certain that no terms short 
of an explicit acknowledgment of our Independence, will 
ever be accepted. A very animated address has been 
published by Congress to their constituents, respecting the 
terms proposed by the commissioners, in which they ob- 
serve, that "the haughty prince who spurned us from his 
feet with contumely and disdain, and the Parliament who 
proscribed us, now descend to offer terms of accommoda- 
tion. While in the full career of victory, they pulled off 
the mask, and avowed despotism. But having lavished 
in vain the blood and treasure of their subjects, in pursuit 
of this execrable purpose, they now endeavor to ensnare 
us with the insidious offers of peace. They would seduce 
us into a dependence which necessarily and inevitably leads 
to the most humiliating slavery. And do they believe 
you will accept these fatal terms because you have suffered 
the distresses of war? Do they suppose that you will 
basely lick the dust before the feet of your destroyers'? 
Can there be a man so lost to the feelings that adorn 
human nature, to the generous pride, the elevation, the 
dignity of freedom? Is there a man who would not abhor 
a dependence on those who have deluged his country in 
the blood of its inhabitants? We cannot suppose this, 



236 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1778. 

neither can we suppose that they themselves expect to 
make many converts. What then is their intention? Is 
it not to lull you with the fallacious hopes of peace, till 
they can assemble new armies to prosecute their nefarious 
designs? If this is not the case, why do they meanly 
court each little tyrant of Europe to sell them his unluippy 
slaves? Why do they continue to embitter the minds of 
the savages against you? Suiely, this is not the way to 
conciliate the affections of America. Be not deceived.'" 
1 he address then proceeds to encourage the peo[)le with 
the fairest prospect of success in the full establishment of 
their liberty and independence. The most powerlul incen- 
tives to perseverance and exertion are held forth as the 
means of vanquishing the foes of our country. "Above 
all, bring forward your armies into the field.. Trust not 
to appearances of peace or safety. Be assured that, unless 
)'ou persevere, you will be exposed to every species of 
barbarity; but if you exert the means of defence which 
God and nature have given you, the time will soon arrive 
when every man shall sit under his own vine and under his 
own fig-tree, and there shall be none to make him afraid." 
'6d. — A great degree of dissatisfaction has prevailed lor 
some time among the officers of our aimy. At the com- 
mencement of the war, a considerable proportion of our 
officers, it is presumed, engaged in the service from the 
purest motives of patriotism ; some doubtless were actuated 
by pecuniaiy views, or influenced by the novelty of the 
employment, and with the expectation that the contest 
would be of short continuance. These incentives appear 
in a great measure to have vanished. The active spirit 
of patriotism is not to be consideied as inexhaustible; 
when it has made the most liberal personal sacritice, it is 
disposed to languish, and to resign iis duties to others who 
hold an equal stake in the public weal. The mditary 
commission, which in other armies is eagerly sought for, 
and prized, as entitling the bearer to the post of honor 
and profit, is in ours held in little estimation, and in some 
instances it is scarcely considered as reputable. The paper 
money in which our army is paid, has greatly depreciated, 
and an officer can with difficulty realize an adequate sup- 
port while in camp, and those who have families depend- 
ent on them, are reduced to the greatest embarrassments. 




OEJVER^L KOSCIUSKO. p. 137.> 




COLOJ^'EL UEJfRT JACKSOJf. P. 202. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1776. 137 

Many officers, when commissioned, relinquished lucrative 
professions or employments, and are devoting the most 
precious portion of life to the service of their country. 
When we contemplate the destitute condition which may 
be his lot at the close of the war, or the wretched circum- 
stances in which he may be called to leave his family in 
case he should not survive this period, no one can be 
surprised that he is dissatisfied in his present situation, 
and that he claims from the public a more ample remu- 
neration. These considerations will account for the nu- 
merous resignations which have taken place, and which 
has occasioned the commander-in-chief much anxiety and 
concern. Apprehending that he should be deprived of 
the services of many meritorious officers, his Excellency 
General Washington made a feeling representation to 
Congress relative to the subject. A committee of that 
honorablei body has been appointed to confer with the 
general, and in concert with him to make and recommend 
such new arrangements as should appear eligible. His 
excellency strongly recommended a half-pay establish- 
ment, which he conceived was indispensably necessary, to 
induce the officers to continue in the service, and cheer- 
fully discharge their respective duties; as many have 
already resigned, and application for it is frequently made 
by others. Besides adopting some method to make the 
provision to officers equal to their present exigencies, a 
due regard should be paid to futurity. "Nothing, in my 
opinion," says his excellency, "would serve more power- 
fully to reanimate their languishing zeal, and interest them 
thoroughly in the service, than a half-pay establishment." 
This conference and representation produced the desired 
effect. Congress, being convinced of the propriety and 
necessity of making further provision for the encourage- 
ment of their army, resolved, unanimously, that all mili- 
tary officers, commissioned by Congress, who now are, 
or hereafter may be, in the service of the United States, 
and shall continue therein during the war, shall, after the 
conclusion of it, be entitled to receive annually for the 
term of seven years, if they live so long, one-half of the 
present pay of such officers. They further resolved, unan- 
imously, that every non-commissioned military officer or 
soldier who has enlisted or shall enlist in the service of 



^3g MILITARY JOUENAL, 1778. 

these states during the war, and shall continue therein to 
the end thereof, shall be entitled to receive a further re- 
ward of eighty dollars at the expiration of the war. 

4//j._«.Intelligence has reached us that the royal army, 
under the command of General Sir Henry Clinton, has 
evacuated Philadelphia, and while marching through Jer- 
sey to New York, General Washington attacked them 
near Monmouth court-house, on the 28th of June, and a 
warm engagement ensued. This contest was conducted 
with military ardor and spirit on the side of both armies; 
but was not on so broad a scale as to prove very decisive 
in its consequences. Each side, it is said, claims the vic- 
tory; but allowing the honor to be equally divided, the 
enemy is incomparably the greatest sufferer. If reports 
are accurate, the loss- of the royalists consists of fort}^ offi- 
cers, and two hundred and forty-five rank and file killed, 
and left in the field buried by our people ; one thousand 
two hundred and fifty-five wounded; one hundred and 
seventeen prisoners; and one thousand five hundred and 
seventy-two deserted during the march ; total of their loss, 
after they left Philadelphia, according to accounts cir- 
culated, three thousand one hundred and eighty-nine. 
Of the continentals, according to returns, sixty-nine were 
killed, one hundred and forty-two wounded, and about 
one hundred missing. The intense heat of the weather, 
great fatigue, and drinking cold water, proved fatal to 
about sixty or eighty men of each party. General Wash- 
ington commanded in person on this memorable day. He 
was exposed to every danger while encouraging and ani- 
mating his troops, and his presence and example were of 
the utmost importance during the day. After the action, 
at night, he laid down in his cloak under a tree, with the 
expectation of recommencing the battle in the morning, 
but the royal army silently retreated during the night 
without being pursued. 

One unfortunate circumstance occurred on this occasion, 
which created considerable embarrassment, and deranged 
the plan of operations. Major-General Lee^was ordered, 
by the commander-in-chief, to advance and attack the 
enemy's rear, so soon as a proper opportunity should offer. 
Having approached very near, instead of engaging, he 
suffered his troops to retreat in some confusion. On learn- 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1778. 139 

ing this, his excellency was exceedingly mortified and 
astonished. Coming up to General Lee, and meeting part 
of his corps in their flight, he with some warmth inquired 
the cause of his retreat, and addressed General Lee in 
language which implied censure. The high-spirited Lee 
could not brook the slightest appearance of dis.tpprobation, 
and replied with an air of disrespect. He, however, re- 
quested of his excellency fresh orders for the conduct of 
his corps, and these he promptly obeyed, and discovered 
no want of bravery in the field. Bat, unable to quell the 
rankling of a turbulent temper, he addressed, after the 
battle, two letters to the commander-in-chief, containing 
improper and disrespectful expressions. As if in defiance 
of superior authority, he demanded a trial by a court- 
martial, that he might have an opportunity of vindicating 
his conduct, in consequence of which his excellency has 
put hirn under arrest to await his trial, 

bth. — Congress have passed a vote of thanks to General 
Washington and his army for their brave conduct at the 
battle of Monmouth. 

^tli. — I accompanied Dr. Woodruff to Fishkill village, 
about fourteen miles. Dined at the hospital with our old 
friends Drs. Adams and Eustis. They are pleasantly sit- 
uated in a secure retreat for the accommodation of our 
sick and wounded soldiers. 

It is expected the French government will lend us their 
assistance and cooperation against our English adversa- 
ries. It is asserted that a powerful French fleet will soon 
arrive on our coast. 

l^tJi. — His excellency the commander-in-chief visited 
West Point, to take a view of the works which are con- 
structing there. His arrival was announced by the dis- 
charge of thirteen cannon, the number of the United States. 

20th. — Having a number of sheep running at large in 
the woods belonging to our hospital, and being in want 
of mutton, I was induced to assist the slaughterers with 
my gun against these harmless animals. In pursuit of 
this game, I devoted most of the day, and a single sheep 
only was the reward of my labor and fatigue. On my 
return, I was accused of want of skill as a marksman, and 
Dr. Prescott challenged me to decide our superiority by 
firing at a mark; the challenge accepted, we placed an 



-j^^Q MILITAET JOUENAL, 1778. 

object at the end of our garden. After the third fire, we 
were checked by an unpleasant incident. Several horses 
were grazing in a field directly in our range, and one of 
them, a valuable animal, received a ball through his body. 
The wound on examination was found to be fatal, the skill 
of the surgeon could avail nothing, and, to add to our 
chagrin, we were informed that the animal was the prop- 
erty of Brigadier-General Glover, and was by him highly 
prized. We soon received a billet from the general, and 
on waiting on him at West Point, to adjust the terms of 
settlement, he demanded the cost of the horse, which was 
one hundred and fifty dollars. Justice and honor required 
that we should promptly comply with his demand. A 
soldier who had the charge of the horses informed us that 
one of the balls struck the ground within a yard of his 
feet; had the poor fellow been the victim, the catastrophe 
would have been much more melancholy ; but the event 
is suf&ciently unfortunate to deter us from again sporting 
with our guns at random shot. 

21th. — Colonel Malcome, from West Point, with his 
much-admired lady, and several other officers, favored us 
with their company to dine; we treated our polite guests 
with all the civilities and all the comforts in our power, 
and the cheering glass was not removed till evening, 
when we accompanied them to the river side, and finished 
two bottles of port on board their barge. 

I^th. — Agreeably to invitation, the gentlemen of our 
hospital returned the visit to Colonel Malcome, at West 
Point, and were entertained in the most genteel manner. 

The public mind is now in a state of excitement, occa- 
sioned by the improper proceedings of the royal commis- 
sioners for restoring peace. They have made a second 
communication to Congress, but still without any intima- 
tion of a recognition of the Independence of the United 
States; but address them on the supposition that the 
people of America are still the subjects of the crown of 
Britain. This last communication is drafted with much 
art and address, calculated to excite jealousies and division 
among the people. Not content with their public declara- 
tions, and proposals addressed to Congress, they have 
actually descended to the dishonorable act of insidious 
offers to corrupt some distinguished individuals. Governor 




OEJ^ERAL. CHARLES LEE. P. 140. 




COLOJfEL JOSEPH REED. P. 141. 



MILITAKY JOUENAIv, 1778. 141 

Johnstone, one of the commissioners, with inexcusable 
effrontery, offered a bribe to Mr. Reed, a member of Con- 
gress. In an interview with Mrs. Ferguson at Philadel- 
phia, whose husband is a royalist, he desired she would 
mention to Mr. Eeed that if he would engage his interest 
to promote the object of their commission, he might have 
any office in the colonies, in the gift of his Britannic tmijesty, 
and ten thousand pounds in hand. Having solicited an 
interview with Mr. Reed, Mrs. Ferguson made her com- 
munication. Spurning the idea of being purchased, he 
replied, "that he was not worth purchasing, but such as he 
was, the king of Great Britain was not rich enough to do 
it." Congress declined all further intercourse with the 
commissioners, and terminated their attempts at negotia- 
tion, unless their royal master would first withdraw his 
fleets and armies, or expressly acknowledge the independ- 
ence of the United States. In order to demonstrate their 
most pointed indignation against such daring attempts to 
corrupt their integrity, they resolved that it was incom- 
patible with their honor to hold any further intercourse 
with George Johnstone, Esquire, more especially to nego- 
tiate with him on affairs in which the cause of liberty and 
virtue are interested. 

We are just informed of a new order of fanatics, who 
have recently introduced themselves into our country, 
pretending to be a religious sect; but, if reports be true, 
they are a disgrace both to religion and to human nature. 
They are called Shaking Quakers, or dancing qnakers, 
though they have no affinity either in principle or char- 
acter to the established order of Quakers. 1'heir leader 
is a female by the name of Ann Lee, niece of General 
Lee, of our army. She is lately from England, and lias 
brought over with her a few followers, and has had the 
address to seduce several individuals of our country to 
her party. She is known by the appellation of Mother 
Ann, and pretends to have received a revelation from 
heaven. The method which they practice under the idea 
of religious worship, is so obviously impious, as to e.xceed 
the bounds of credibility ; but we have the particulars 
from eye-witnesses, who have been admitted to their mid- 
night orgies. They spend whole nights in their revels, 
and exhibit the most unbecoming scenes, violating all 



242 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

rules of propriety and decency. Both sexes, nearly di- 
vested of clothing, fall to dancing in extravagant postures, 
and frequently whirl themselves round on one leg with 
inconceivable rapidity, till they fall apparently lifeless on 
the floor, A spectator asserts that the fantastic contor- 
tions of body in which their pretended religious exercises 
consist, bear the semblance of supernatural impulse, and 
that no imagination can form an adequate idea of the 
extravagant conduct of these infatuated people' — a bur- 
lesque on all moral and religious principle.* 

August Bd. — I am now to notice one of the most dread- 
ful instances of perfidious savage cruelty that can perhaps 
be found on the records of history. However incredible 
the particulars may appear, they are found in various 
publications, and received as indubitable facts. Nor 
would I tarnish a page with the diabolical transaction, 
till the detailed account has been incontrovertibly estab- 
lished. At a place on the eastern branch of the Susque- 
hannah river, was a flourishing settlement called Wyoming. 
It consisted of eight townships, containing one thousand 
families ; and such was the zeal with which they espoused 
the cause of America, that they voluntarily raised about 
one thousand soldiers for the continental army. The 
climate and soil of this territory are admirably adapted to 
the production of grain, hemp, fruit and stock of all kinds. 
The inhabitants of this secluded spot might have lived in 
the enjoyment of all the happiness which results from 
harmony and the purest natural affection. But unfortu- 
nately they suffered themselves to be divided by the 
turbulent spirit of party, distinguished by the epithet of 
whig and tory. When this rancorous spirit was permit- 
ted to disclose itself, animosities arose to such an aston- 
ishing height, as to sever the tenderest ties of family 
friendship and the dearest connexions. Many of the 
active inhabitants, influenced by malice and revenge, 
abandoned their plantations, forsook tlieir neighbors and 
friends, and allied themselves with the savages, whom 
tliey instigated and assisted in the barbarous work of 

* The sect now denominated Shaking Quakers, are an orderly and 
civil people; they have rendered themselves remarkable for industry 
and ingenuity, and for their particular attention to agriculture and the 
mechanic arts. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 143 

slaughter and death among their friends. The inhabitants, 
on receiving intelligence that an enterprise was preparing 
against them, and sensible of their perilous situation, threw 
up intienchments and redoubts, to defend themselves 
against the gathering storm. About the 1st of July last, 
the ferocious enemy, consisting of one thousand six hun- 
dred tories, Indians and half-blooded Englishmen, ap- 
proached the settlement, and were perceived lurking about 
their borders. This motley combination was commanded 
by a Colonel John Butler, a tory refugee, and others no 
less inhuman and cruel than their savage allies. In order 
to lull the inhabitants into security, the enemy several 
times sent messages to the settlers that they had no hos- 
tile designs against them, and the treacherous Butler him- 
self declared that he should not molest them the present 
season. The inhabitants, however, had reason to distrust 
their professions, and those capable of bearing arms were 
immediately embodied under the command of' Colonel 
Zeb. Butler, cousin to the commander of the savages. 
The women and children were directed to take refuge in 
the forts. The enemy approached; and, pretending they 
were desirous of a parley, proposed that Colonel Zeb. But- 
ler should meet them at some distance from the fort for 
that purpose. He complied, but ibr safety took with him 
four hundred armed men. This proved to be a fatal 
stratagem; he soon found himself surrounded and attacked 
on every side; he and his little party defended them- 
selves with great firmness and bravery ; and the commander, 
with about twenty of his men, finally made their escape. 
The enemy now rushed on and invested the fort, which 
they cannonaded most of the day ; and, horrid to relate, 
when they sent in a demand for the surrender, it was 
accompanied by one hundred and ninetj^-six bloody scalps 
taken from those who had just been slain. Colonel Den- 
nison, on whom the command of the fort had devolved, 
defended himself till most of his men had fallen by his 
side, when he went out with a flag, to inquire what terms 
would be granted him on surrendering the garrison ? He 
received from the ferocious Butler a reply in two words, 
"^/;e hatchet.''^ Colonel Dennison was finally obliged to 
surrender at discretion, still retaining a hope of mercy. 
But he was wofuUy mistaken; the threat of Butler was 

M 



144 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 

rigorously executed ; after selecting a few prisoners, the 
remainder of the people, including women and children, 
were inclosed in the houses and barracks, which were 
immediately set on fire, and the whole consumed together. 
Another fort was near at hand, in which were seventy 
continental soldiers; on surrendering without conditions, 
these were, to a man, butchered in a barbarous manner; 
when the remainder of the men, women and children were 
shut up in the houses, and the demons of hell glutted their 
vengeance in beholding their destruction in one general 
conflagration!! This tragical scene being finished, the 
merciless authors of it spread fire and sword throughout 
the settlement, sparing, however, the houses and farms of 
the tories; they extended their cruel hands to the cattle 
in the field, shooting some, and cutting out the tongues 
of others, leaving them alive. The additional particulars, 
from their unparalleled enormity, would not be recited 
here, were it not that they have been already promul- 
gated from authentic sources. One of the prisoners, a 
Captain Badlock, was committed to torture, by having his 
body stuck full of splinters of pine knots, and a fire of dry 
wood made round him, when his two companions, Captains 
Ranson and Durkee, were thrown into the same fire, and 
held down with pitch-forks till consumed. One Partial 
Terry, the son of a man of respectable character, having 
joined the Indian party, several times sent his father word 
that he hoped to wash his hands in his hearth blood; the 
monster with his own hands murdered his father^ inother, 
brothers and sisters, stripped off their scalps, and cut off' his 
father's head! I Thomas Terry with his own hands butch- 
ered his oiun mother, his father-in-law, his sisters and their 
infant children, and exterminated the ivhok family ! A few 
individuals, mostly women and children, made their escape 
during the carnage of the day, and dispersed themselves, 
wandering in the woods destitute of provision or covering, 
shuddering with terror and distress ; their sufferings must 
be extreme, and their fate uncertain. It is only in the 
infernal regions that we can look for a parallel instance of 
unnatural wickedness. The cries of widows and orphans 
call for the avenging hand of Heaven. The name of 
Colonel John Butler ought to be consigned to eternal in- 
famy, for the base treachery and cruelty with which he 



MTLITAKY JOUENAL, 1778. 145 

betrayed liis kinsman, Colonel Zeb. Butler, a respectable 
American officer, while under the sanction of a flag, 

4th. — In company with Mr. Governeur Morris and Dr. 
Brown, our surgeon-general, I rode to camp near White 
Plains; waited on Colonel Scammel, adjutant-general, to 
inquire whether any regiment is destitute of a surgeon, 
as I am desirous of exchanging my present station for the 
office of regimental surgeon. This object I might have 
effected, but Dr. Brown j)revailed on me not to dissolve 
my connexion with the General Hospital at present. From 
camp I performed a journey to Branford, and from thence 
to Danbury, in Connecticut. Dined with Drs. Elistis and 
Adams, at their quarters at Branford, and reached Dan- 
bury in the evening. On my return, the 5th, dined at a 
tavern at Crompond, and in the afternoon I missed my 
road, and my horse tired. I was directed into an obscure 
path through a thick forest, and arrived at the hospital 
late in the evening. Hiding through a thick wood, my 
attention was arrested by a novel spectacle: On a branch 
of a large oak, about thirty feet high, I observed a mon- 
strous black-snake, suspended by a coil of its tail, his head 
and about half his length inclining downwards, basking 
in the sun. it appeared about two yards in length, and 
the size of a man's arm. Its skin was of a jet black, and 
its prominent sparkling black eyes were very beautiful. 
He viewed me as I passed with the fierceness of a tiger; 
but discovering none of those fascinating charms by which 
our credulous mother Eve was so wofully beguiled, and 
disdaining the whole progeny of deceivers, I passed on 
without viewing him as an object of my civilities. 

7th. — An unusual number of patients have been brought 
into our hospital within a few days. Their diseases are 
putrid fever and dysentery; many of the cases appear so 
malignant, that it is feared they will baffle all the skill of 
the physician. 

10th. — A friend from Albany informs me that three 
men and two girls have lately been sentenced to suffer 
death for murder and robbery. The two girls are sisters, 
and one of the men is their brother. Another brother 
was executed last autumn, and their mother is now in pri- 
son, awaiting her trial for the same crime. The women 
had disguised themselves in men's apparel, and united with 



l^Q MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1778. 

the tories and Indians in perpetrating the most inhuman 
cruelties and savage barbarities among the defenceless and 
innocent inhabitants. It is time this notorious family 
should be exterminated from the earth, as an awful exam- 
ple to those wretches who are still in the practice of simi- 
lar crimes. One of the British ships in the harbor of 
New York took fire by lightning, and blew up; the ex- 
plosion shook the whole city like an earthquake, and 
excited great consternation among the inhabitants. 

Scptemher 4:th. — A large French fleet has arrived on our 
coast, under the command of Count D'Estaign, and has 
blocked up the harbor of Newport, An army, chiefly of 
militia and volunteers, from the New England states, with 
two brigades of continental troops, under command of 
Major-General Sullivan, laid siege to the royal army on 
the island. From this land force, with the cooperation 
of the French fleet, very sanguine expectations were 
formed that the enterprise would have been crowned 
with success. But the English fleet appeared, and Count 
D'Estaign was induced to pursue them and to offer battle, 
when unfortunately a violent storm arose, by which his 
fleet suffered so considerably that the count was obliged 
to quit the expedition, and proceed to Boston to repair 
his ships. General Sullivan's army continued several days 
on the island, besieging the enem3^, and finally a smart 
engagement ensued, in which both our regular troops and 
the militia, emulous of fame and glory, combatted the 
enemy during the day. The result of the contest was a 
repulse of the royal forces; they retired from the field 
with considerable loss, and employed themselves in forti- 
fying their camp. In the absence of the French fleet, 
Sir Henry Clinton sent from New York large reinforce- 
ments, in consequence of which it was unanimously agreed 
in a council of war to retire from the island. The retreat 
was conducted by General Sullivan with great judgment 
and discretion, without loss of men or baggage, though in 
the face of an enem}'' of superior force. This exploit 
reflects "great honor both on the general and the brave 
troops under his command. In the honors of this expe- 
dition, and retreat. Major General Greene, and the Marquis 
de la Fayette participated conspicuously, but were greatly 
disappointed in the final result. 




COLOXEL ZEBVLOJf BUTLER. P. 143. 




COUNT D^ESTAIOJ^. P. 146, 




OEJfERAL ISRAEL PUTJfAM. P. 147 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1778. 147 

6th. — Major-General Lee has gone through his trial 
before a court martial appointed for the purpose. The 
charges exhibited against him were — 1st, Disobedience of 
orders, in not attacking the enemy on the 28th of June, 
agreeably to repeated instructions. 2, For misbehavior 
before the enemy on the same day, in making an unneces- 
sary, disorderly and shameful retreat. 3d, For disrespect 
to the commander-in-chief, in two letters, dated June 28tli 
and July 1st. To these several charges the general made 
a very able and excellent defence, particularizing all the 
circumstances attending the unhappy affair, and to the ut- 
most of his ability extenuating and vindicating his conduct. 
The court, nevertheless, pronounced him guilty, and their 
sentence was, "that Major-General Lee be suspended from 
his conmiand in the armies of the United States for the 
space of one year." This sentence is like a mortal wound 
to the lofty, aspiring spirit of General Lee ; few men are 
less calculated to sustain such a rebuff to pride and 
ambiti(-)us views.* 

6th. — A duel was fought a few days since between Gen- 
eral G. and Colonel W. Two shots were exchanged with- 
out bloodshed, and a reconciliation was effected. The 
gentlemen, it is said, displayed a firmness and bravery 
bec(Hning their rank and character, and have established 
their claim to the title of gentlemen of honor. As their 
courage has never been called in question, the present 
rencontre was unnecessary, unless it be to evince that 
they possess malice enough in their hearts to commit a 
murderous deed. The example of superior officers will 
have great influence with those of inferior rank, whether 
contending with the dogs of war, or in adjusting the minor 
points of honor. 

8th. — Major-General Putnam has arrived in this vicinity, 
with the division of Virginia and Maryland troops under 
his command, and they have encamped on the borders 
of the river. Brigadiers Woodford and Muhlenburg have 
taken up quarters in apartments in our hospital. This is 
my first interview with this celebrated hero. In his per- 
son he is corpulent and clumsy, but carries a bold, un- 
daunted front. He exhibits little of the refinements of 

* See Appendix, for General Lee's character and abuse of General 
Washington. 



l^Q MILITAEY JOQENAL, 1773. 

the \vell-e(iucated gentleman, but mucTi of the character 
of tlie veteran soldier. He appears to be advanced to 
the age of about sixty years, and it is filmed of him that 
he has, in many instances, proved himself as brave as 
Cfesar. He visited our hospital, and inquired with much 
solicitude into the condition of our patients; observing 
a considerable number of men who were infected with 
the (jround itch, generated by lying on the ground, he 
inquired why they were not cured. I answered, " Because 
we have no hog's-lard to make ointment." "Did you 
never," says tlie general, "cure the itch with tar and 
brimstone?" "No, sir." "Then," replied he, good-hu- 
morcdlv, "you are not fit for a doctor."* 

Di'. Ferguson, secretary to the British commissioners, 
forwarded to Congress a declaration signed George John- 
st(~>ne, respecting the resolve of Congress relative to his 
attempt on the fidelity of one of their members, which re- 
solve he thinks to be calculated by Congress to delude the 
people of America, and to defeat the design of the com- 
missioners in effecting an accommodation, which he says 
he would not prevent, and therefore declines acting any- 
more as a commissioner. Another declaration, signed by 
the three commissioners, (Carlisle, Clinton, and Eden,) in 
which they disclaim all knowledge of the conduct of Gov- 
ernor Johnstone, in tampering with a member of Congress, 
till they read it in the newspapers. This paper contains 
ungenerous reflections on France, and intimates their as- 
tonishment that the Americans should prefer an alliance 
with France to a submission to the government of England. 
This, their last manifesto, has been published, and by per- 
mission of Congress circulated through the United States. 
It was addressed to the members of Congress, the members 
of tlie general assemblies or conventions of the several 
colonics, plantations, and provinces, and was to be in force 
foity days from the date. It offers a general or separate 
peace to the colonies, with the revival of their ancient 
government, secured against future infringements, and 
protected for ever from taxation by Great Britain, if they 
will relinquish their independence, hreah their faith iviih 
France, Congress having formed a treaty of alliance toith that 
nation, and submit to the British yoke. These, if not the 

* See Appendix for his character. 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1773. I4.9 

positive, are the implied terms on which they offer peace. 
But if their terms are not comphed with, then are we to 
expect more severe expressions of British vengeance than 
we have hitherto experienced. Hostilities are, they say, 
to be conducted in a more ri2;orous and terrific form, that 
the United States may be rendered of less importarice to 
the French king, their inveterate enemy, and our new ally. 
We are, therefore, if we persevere in our obstinacy, threat- 
ened with the cruel extremes of war, and a desolation of 
our country. This last manifesto contains a recital of wh;it 
the commissioners term the blessings they are empowered 
to confer, and a warning of the coniinued train of evils to 
which the colonies are at present blindly and obstinately 
exposing themselves, &c., &c. The conmiissioners expli- 
citly declared that thev had neither autl tor itij nor inclination 
to acknowledge the colonies to be independent — and Con- 
gress having informed them "that they would treat with 
Great Britain on no other terms," it put an end to the 
nogotiation, and the commissioners, it is understood, are 
preparing to depart from the continent. The British 
government manifests extreme chagrin and disappointment 
on account of the prosperous career of the United States, 
and are very indignant that their conceited omnipotent 
authority should be so presumptuously called in question 
by those whom they still affect to consider in the light of 
dependent colonies. 

In their reply to the declarations of the commissioners, 
our Congress mention the causes which induced the people 
of America to array themselves in arms, that it was the 
oppressive and tyrannical measures of the British ministry; 
and after briefly reciting the cruelties that had hitherto 
been exercised by their troops and navy, acting against 
us, they add, "that since their incorrigible dispositions 
cannot be touched by kindness and compassion, it becomes 
the duty of Congress, by other means, to vindicate the 
rights of humanity," and they conclude by saying, "that 
if our enemies presume to execute their threats, and per- 
sist in their present mode of barbarity, we will take such 
exemplary vengeance as shall deter others from a like 
conduct." They appeal to that God who searches the 
hearts of all men for the rectitude of their intentions, and 
in his holy presence declare, "that as they are not moved 



150 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 

by any light or hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so 
through every possible change of fortune they shall ad- 
here to this their determination." 

October. — The regiment of cavalry, commanded by Colo- 
nel Baylor, being posted on our lines near Tappan, their 
situation was betrayed by some tories, and a party of the 
enemy surprised them while in a barn, in the night, and 
massacred a part of them with circumstances of savage 
cruelty. The commander of the party who disgraced 
themselves by this foul deed, was the English General 
Grey. Colonel Baylor's detachment consisted of one hun- 
dred and four horsemen; the attack was so sudden, that 
they were entirely defenceless, and the enemy immediately 
commenced the horrid work of slaughter; their entreaties 
and cries for mercy were totally disregarded by their sav- 
age foes. It has been well ascertained that the British 
soldiers were ordered by their inhuman officers to bayonet 
every man they could lind, and to give no quarter. Major- 
General Lord Stirling, having by request ascertained the 
particulars respecting this execrable transaction, makes 
the following statement: "On its being intimated to me," 
says his lordship, "that Congress were desirous to know 
the particulars of the massacre of Colonel Baylor's regi- 
ment, I desired Dr. Griffith, surgeon and chaplain to Gen- 
eral Woodford's brigade, and who attended Colonel Baylor 
and the other wounded persons, to collect all the evidence 
he could of this barbarous affair. I have just now received 
collections on this subject." The collection contains the 
affidavits and depositions of a number of soldiers belonging 
to that unfortunate regiment, who solemnly declare that 
after they had surrendered and asked for quarter, it was 
refused. Thomas Hutcliinson, sergeant of the thiid troop, 
escaped unhurt; but heard the British soldiers cry out, 
"Sliver him!" repeatedly. Cullency, of the first troop, 
who received twelve wounds, sa^^s, "that when the enemy 
entered the barn where his troops lay, he and the men 
asked for quarter, and were refused ; that the British cap- 
tain, Bull, after inquiring how many of the rebels were 
dead, on being told the number, ordered all the rest to be 
knocked on the head, and that his orders were executed 
on five or six of the wounded." Benson, of the second 
troop, received also twelve wounds; he declared he heard 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1778. 151 

the men in the barn with him ask for quarter, which was 
returned with wounds and abusive language; he thought 
it in vain to ask for quarter himself, as he heard the sol- 
diers reply to others that begged it, "that their captain 
had ordered them to stab all, and make no prisoners." 
Thomas Talley, of the sixth troop, received six wounds; 
he declared, "that after the enemy had taken him and 
partly stripped him, the soldiers inquiring of their captain 
what should be done with him, he ordered him to be killed, 
and after that he received six wounds in his breast with 
their bayonets at different times." Soutlnvard^ of the fifth 
troop, says, that five men out of thirteen of their regiment, 
in the barn with him, were killed outright, and the rest, 
excepting himself, bayoneted; that he heard the British 
officer order his men to put all to death, and afterwards 
ask if they had finished all; that they offered quarters to 
some, who on surrendering themselves, they bayoneted." 
The depositions of seven others, attested by Governor 
Livingston of New Jersey, confirm the above declarations. 
Mr. Morris^ lieutenant and adjutant in Baylor's regiment, 
received seven wounds; he declared that, on begging his 
life after he had surrendered, they replied, "Yes, d — n 
you, we will give you quarters!" and then rushed on and 
stabbed him with their bayonets, and stripped him of all 
his clothes. It is a melancholy and awfal consideration, 
that any unnecessary severity should be put in practice 
to aggravate the common horrors of war. Britain, who 
boasts of her bravery, her progress in the polite arts, and 
generosity of temper, has, in her manner of conducting 
the war in America, most infamously outraged all the laws 
of htimanity, and set an example of savage brutality, de- 
testable to every civilized people, and to every friend of 
human kind. They are destroying the character of their 
nation in the eyes of all the world. Witness their fatal 
prison-ships, their murders in cold blood, their wanton 
burning and devastations, their licentious abuses, which 
exhibit a picture of barbarity scarcely to be credited among 
civilized nations. What then must be our situation, should 
our country ever be reduced to an absolute subjection to 
such a mean-spirited people? These considerations should 
awaken every motive that can animate a manly bosom, to 
despise every danger in repelling from our shores such 



11^52 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1778. 

barbarous invaders, and in humbling sucli unprincipled 
foes to our freedom. 

His excellency the commander-in-chief made a visit to 
our hospital; his arrival was scarcely announced, before 
he presented himself at our doors. Dr. Williams and 
myself had the honor to wait on this great and truly good 
man through the different wards, and to replj' to his 
inquiries relative to the condition of our patients. He 
appeared to take a deep interest in the situation of the sick 
and wounded soldiers, and inquired particularly as to their 
treatment and comfortable accommodations. Not being 
apprised of his intended visit in time to make preparation 
for his reception, we were not entirely free from embar- 
rassment, but we had the inexpressible satisfaction of re- 
ceiving his excellency's approbation oCour conduct, as 

"^ respects the duties of our department. ; The personal aji- 
pearance of our commander-in-chief, is That of the perfect 
gentleman and accomplished warrior. He is remarkably 
tall, full six feet, erect and well proportioned. The strength 
and proportion of his joints and muscles appear to be 
commensurate with the preeminent powers of his mind. 
The serenity of his countenance, and majestic gracefulness 
of his deportment, impart a strong impression of that dig- 
nity and grandeur which are his peculiar characteristics, 
and no one can stand in his presence without feeling the 
ascendancy of his mind, and associating with his counte- 
nance the idea of wisdom, philanthropy, magnanimity, 
and patriotism. There is a fine symmetry in the features 
of his face, indicative of a benign and dignified spirit. 
His nose is strait, and his eyes inclined to blue. He 
wears his hair in a becoming cue, and from his forehead 
it is turned back and powdered in a manner which adds 
to the military air of his appearance. He displaj^s a native 
gravity, but devoid of all appearance of ostentation. His 
uniform dress is a blue coat, with two brilliant epaulettes, 
buff-colored under-clothes, and a three-cornered hat, with 
a black cockade. He is constantly equipped with an ele- 
gant small-sword, boots and spurs, in readiness to mount 

- his noble charge^ There is not in the present age, per- 
haps, another man so eminently qualified to discharge the 
arduous duties of the exalted station he is called to sustain, 
amidst difficulties which to others would appear insur- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 153 

mountable, nor could any man have more at command 
the veneration and regard of the officers and soldiers of 
our army, even after defeat and misfortune. This is the 
illustrious chief whom a kind Providence has decreed as 
the instrument to conduct our country to peace and to 
independence. 

Major-General Schuyler, having for more than a year 
been suspended from military command, in consequence 
of his concurrent responsibility respecting the evacuation 
of Ticonderoga, in tfuly, 1777, has at length undergone 
his trial by a court-martial, of which Major-General Lin- 
coln was president, and is' acquitted, with the highest 
honor, of the charge exhibited against him. This excel- 
lent officer has finally obtained that justice which, from 
undue prejudice, has so long been denied him. 

Major-General Arthur St. Clair has also by the same 
court been acquitted with the highest honor of the charge 
exhibited against him, of evacuating the post at Ticonder- 
oga. His masterly defence before the court is admired for 
the display of superior intellect, sound principle, pure in- 
tegrity, and correctness of judgment. General St. Clair, 
it is presumed, will never receive an adequate compensa- 
tion for the unmerited contumely which he has experi- 
enced fnjm Congress and the public. It is the height of 
injustice to subject a man of established character to suifer 
in reputation and in sensibility, mei'ely from surmise and 
suspicion; and the injury is greatly aggravated when the 
accused is long held up to public odium, and not permit- 
ted to adduce evidence in his own vindication. General 
St. Chiir lias frequently been heard to express a conscious- 
ness of the upi'ightness and propriety of his conduct, and 
to despise the vague censure of an uninformed populace; 
and when Burgoyne was advancing into the country, he 
said he had the most sanguine hope that the progress of 
the enemy would be checked, and that he should have 
the satisfaction to experience that, though he had lost a j^ost^ 
he had eventually saved the state. This hope he has realized 
in its fullest extent, by the event that the British com- 
mander and army, to whom he surrendered a post, has 
since been compelled to submit as captives to our army. 
General St. Clair was an officer in the army of General 
Wolfe, and was in the battle in which that celebrated com- 



254 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778. 

mander was slain on the Plains of Abraham. He was 
estimated as a young officer of merit, capable of obtaining 
a hio"h grade of military reputation. Soon after the com- 
mencement of hostilities, in 1775, he was, without his 
solicitation, appointed to the office of colonel, and he 
marched with his regiment into Canada, where he ren- 
dered very important services. He was subsequently pro- 
moted to the rank of major-general, and on all occasions 
supported an honorable distinction, and shared largely in 
the confidence and friendship of the commander-in-chief. 

Novamher 3d — Having made a visit to Fishkill, I re- 
turned in company with Dr. Treat, our physician-general, 
and found a large number of gentlemen collecting to par- 
take of an entertainment, by invitation of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Muhlenburg, who occupies a room in our hospital. 
The guests consisted of forty-one respectable officers, and 
our tables were furnished with fourteen different dishes, 
arranged in fashionable style. After dinner, Major-Gen- 
eral Putnam was requested to preside, and he displayed 
no less urbanity at the head of the table than bravery at 
the head of his division. A number of toasts were pro- 
nounced, accompanied with humorous and merry songs. 
In the evening we were cheered with militar}^ music and 
dancing, which continued till a late hour in the night. 
General Muhlenburg was a minister of a parish in Vir- 
ginia, but participating in the spirit of the times, exchanged 
his clerical profession for that of a soldier. Having in his 
pulpit inculcated the principles of liberty and the cause 
of his country, he found no difficulty in enlisting a regi- 
ment of soldiers, and he was appointed their commander. 
He entered his pulpit with his sword and cockade, preach- 
ed his farewell sermon, and the next day marched at the 
head of his regiment to join the army, and he does honor 
to the military profession. 

10/A. — Having for a long time served in the hospital 
department, and having no claim to promotion there, I 
resolved to relinquish that station, and accept the appoint- 
ment of surgeon to the first Virginia state regiment, com- 
manded by Colonel George Gibson. Being introduced to 
the officers of the regiment, I received a polite invitation 
to take my quarters in the marquee with Colonel Gibson 



MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1778. 155 

and his lieutenant-colonel, William Brent. Thomas Mer- 
iweather is his major. 

18th. — Kode to the village of Fishkill, breakfasted with 
Dr. Treat and Colonel Hayes, and waited on Dr. John 
Cochran, who is now in close attendance on the Marqnis 
de la Fayette, who is dangerously sick with a fever. 

2Sd. — We have now had a long respite from battles and 
skirmishes, the season for the campaign is about expiring, 
and no one can boast of .having achieved deeds of much 
fame and glory. As we are stationed at a considerable 
distance from the enemy at New Yoik, we feel secure 
from the annoyance of the dogs of war ; and military duty 
not being very urgent, our officers appear disposed to 
relax in their discipline, and contract a Ijabit approaching 
to dissipation. They have adopted the |ir:tclice of giving 
suppers alternately, with music and daueing through half 
the nia^ht. These are the favorite amusements of the Vir- 
ginia and Maryland officers, but they do not accord pre- 
cisely with my own views of time well spent, though I 
am frequently enticed to a participation in their banquet- 
ing revels. 

24:th. — I accepted an invitation to dine with Captain 
Carter, at AVest Point. He is a gentleman of independent 
fortune, and lives in splendid style. His guests were 
numerous and highly respectable, and the entertainment 
rich and arranged with taste. 

25ih. — Dined with General Mulilenburg, in company 
with several Virginia officers, and, as usual, closed the 
day with music and dancing. 

27th. — Visited my friends at Fishkill, and by the re- 
quest of Colonel Gibson I waited on the Marquis de la 
Fayette. The colonel furnished me with a letter of in- 
troduction and his compliments, with inquiries respecting 
the marquis's health, I was received by this nobleman 
in a polite and affable manner. He is just recovering 
from a fever, and was in his chair of convalescence. He 
is nearly six feet high, large, but not corpulent, being not 
more than twenty-one years of age. He is not very ele- 
gant in his fjrm, his shoulders being broad and high, nor 
is there a perfect symmetry in his features; his forehead 
is remarkably high, his nose large and long, eyebrows 
prominent, and projecting over a fine animated hazel eye. 



j, g0 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

His countenance is interesting and impressive. He con- 
ver.^es in broken English, and displays the manners and 
address of an accomplished gentleman. Considering him 
a French nobleman of distinguished character, and a great 
favorite of General Washington, I felt myself highly hon- 
ored by this interview.* 

DeceiDhei- loih. — At a settlement called Cherry Valley, 
about sixty miles above Albany, Colonel Alden, of Dux- 
bury, Massachusetts, "was stationed with about two hun- 
dred and fifty continental troojis, to protect the inhabitants 
from the incursions of the frontier enemy. It is now an- 
nounced that a bod}^ consisting of about seven hundred 
Indians, tories and soldiers assaulted our party, massacred 
Colonel Alden, several of the inhabitants, men, women 
and children, and made prisoners of the lieutenant-colonel 
and many of the inhabitants. The account states that one 
hundred and eiglity of the surviving inhabitants had 
neither house nor provisions, were almost naked, and 
destitute of money to provide necessaries. 

Our division, commanded by General Putnam, marched 
according to general orders from our encampment near 
Robinson's house, 28th November; arrived at King's 
ferry, twelve miles, and encamped; 29th, crossed the 
North river in batteaux, and pitched our camp on the 
Jersey shore; 30th, marched twelve miles only, in a 
severe storm of snow and sleet, encamped near the small 
town of Kakiat. December 1st and 2d, passed through 
Paramus and Aquackanock, twenty-six miles. These 
towns are inhabited chiefly by Dutch people; their 
churches and dwelling-houses are built mostly of rough 
stone, one story high. There is a peculiar neatness in the 
appearance of their dwellings, having an airy piazza sup- 
ported by pillars in front, and their kitchens connected at 
tlie ends in the form of wings. The land is remarkably 
level, and the soil fertile; and being generally advan- 
tageously cultivated, the people appear to enjoy ease and 
happy competency. The furniture in their houses is of 
the most ordinary kind, and such as might be supposed 
to accord with the fashion of the days of Queen Anne. 
They despise the superfluities of life, and are ambitious to 

* For the character of the marquis, see Appendix. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1778 157 

appear always neat and cleanly, and never to complain of 
an empty purse. 

Pursued our route on the 8d, passed through Westfield, 
and part of Newark, a handsome village situated on a 
river of that name, which is navigable to New York, dis- 
tance eight miles. In this village there is a public acad- 
emy and several handsome churches. This is the garden 
of New Jersey, it is a most delightful country, uniformly 
level, and every acre abundantly productive. 4th, marched 
through Springfield, a small but handsome English town. 
Encamped near the village of Scotch Plains. Here we 
received orders by express from head-quarters to halt, in 
consequence of some movement of the enemy in New 
York. 9th, ordered to resume our march ; passed through 
Quibbletown and the village of Middle-brook. In this 
vicinity we are erecting log huts for our winter-quarters. 

I called at a house with Colonel Gibson and other offi- 
cers to view a phenomenon in the human form — a child 
that has grown to an enormous size at the age of seven 
years; he measures three feet six inches round his breast, 
and three feet nine inches round his belly, his limbs and 
joints are proportionably large, and he weighs one hun- 
dred and thirty pounds. I was informed by the boy's 
mother that she discovered in him an extraordinary growth 
when two years old, since which he has increased very 
rapidly. He enjoys good health, and is not deficient in 
capacity. 

30th. — Our officers have not permitted the Christmas 
days to pass unnoticed, not a day without receiving invita- 
tions to dine, nor a night without amusement and dancing. 
I dine to-day with General Muhlenburg. Our soldiers are 
constantly employed in cutting down trees and building 
log huts for our winter's accommodation, and we are 
obliged to live in our uncomfortable tents till they can be 
completed. This is appropriated as a day of Thanksgiv- 
ing throughout the state. Our brigade was paraded in 
the field to attend divine service. Dr. Belmain, our 
chaplain, delivered a judicious sermon, well adapted to 
the occasion, adverting to the great cause in which we are 
engaged, and enjoining a grateful reverence to the Al- 
mighty Kuler of the universe, and a faithful discharge of 
the duties incumbent on us in our several stations. 



158 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1779. 

January Ist^ 1779. — Colonel Gibson made an entertain- 
ment, and invited all the officers of his regiment to dine 
at his quarters in the country a short distance from camp. 
The table was amply furnished, and the guests did not 
separate till evening, when we were requested to resort 
to General Muhlenburg's quarters. Here we were intro- 
duced to a number of ladies assembled to unite with the 
gentlemen in the ball-room; a very elegant supper was 
provided, and not one of the company was permitted to 
retire till three o'clock in the morning. Thus have the 
gallant Virginians commenced the new year, 

February. — Having continued to live under cover of 
canvas- tents most of the winter, we have suffered extremely 
from exposure to cold and storms. Our soldiers have 
been employed six or eight weeks in constructing log huts, 
which at length are completed, and both officers and sol- 
diers are now under comfortable covering for the remain- 
der of the winter. Log houses are constructed with the 
trunks of trees cut into various lengths, according to the 
size intended, and are firmly connected by notches cut at 
their extremities in the manner of dovetailing. The va- 
cancies between the logs are filled in with plastering con- 
sisting of mud and clay. The roof is formed of similar 
pieces of timber, and covered with hewn slabs. The 
chimney, situated at one end of the house, is made of 
similar but smaller timber, and both the inner and the 
outer side are covered with clay plaster, to defend the 
wood against the fire. The door and windows are formed 
by sawing away a part of the logs of a proper size, and 
move on wooden hinges. In this manner have our sol- 
diers, without nails, and almost without tools, except the 
axe and saw, provided for their officers and for themselves 
comfortable and convenient quarters, with little or no ex- 
pense to the public. The huts are arranged in strait lines, 
forming a regular, uniform, compact village. The officers' 
huts are situated in front of the line, according to their 
rank, the kitchens in the rear, and the whole is similar in 
form to a tent encampment. The ground for a consider- 
able distance in front of the soldiers' line of huts is cleared 
of wood, stumps and rubbish, and is every morning swept 
clean for the purpose of a parade-ground and roll-call for 
the respective regiments. The officers' huts are in general 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779 159 

divided into two apartments, and are occupied by three 
or tour officers, who compose one mess. Those for the 
soldiers have but one room, and contain ten or twelve 
men, with their cabins placed one above another against 
the walls, and filled with straw, and one blanket for each 
man. I now occupy a hut with our field-officers. Colonel 
Gibson, Lieutenant-Colonel Brent, and Major Meriweather. 

'ith. — A duel has lately been fought between a surgeon 
and an adjutant in General Scott's brigade; the former 
received a bad wound, and the latter escaped with honor. 
"Who will hesitate," says one, "to exchange a few shots 
with a friend to obtain the appellation of a gentleman of 
honor? If I kill my antagonist I have the satisiaction of 
settling a point of honor! If I receive a ball through my 
own heart, I die in the glorious cause of honor! 'You 
have offended me in a delicate point,' says an officer to his 
friend, 'and I now demriud of you the satisfaction of a 
gentleman: I have settled my affairs, and prepared myself 
to die, if that shall be my fate.' — 'Then,' replied the 
other, 'we cannot fight on equal terms, for I have not 
had time to do either.' " 

The anniversary of our alliance with France was cele- 
brated in proper style a few daj^s since near head-quarters, 
at Pluckemin. A splendid entertainment was given by 
General Knox and the officers of artillery. General 
Washington and his lady, with the principal officers of 
the army and their ladies, and a considerable number of 
respectable ladies and gentlemen of the state of New Jer- 
sey, formed the brilliant assembly. About four o'clock 
sixteen cannon were discharged, and the company col- 
lected in a large public building to partake of an elegant 
dinner. In the evening a very beautiful set of fire-works 
was exhibited, and the celebration was concluded by a 
splendid ball, opened by his Excellency General Wash- 
ington, having for his partner the lady of General Knox. 

^'oih. — A party of the enemy made an attempt yester- ' 
day to surprise our troops stationed at Elizabethtown, 
under the command of General Maxwell, but the vigilance 
of the general prevented their success. They sent a party 
to capture Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, but in this 
attempt they were also frustrated. After burning and 
plundering a few houses, they returned to Staten Island, 



IQQ MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1779. 

but were pursued by General Maxwell's brigade, wbicb 
occasioned the loss of a few men on each side. 

His excellency the commander-in-chief has long been 
in the practice of inviting a certain number of officers to 
dine at his table every day. It is not to be supposed that 
his excellency can be made acquainted with every officer 
by name, but the invitations are given through the medium 
of general orders, in which is mentioned the brigade from 
which the officer is expected. Yesterday I accompanied 
Major Cavil to head-quarters, and had the honor of being 
numbered among the guests at the table of liis excellency, 
with his lady, two young ladies from Virginia, the gen- 
tlemen who compose his famil}^, and several other officers. 

It is natural to view with keen attention the counte- 
nance of an illustrious man, with a secret hope of discover- 
ing in his features some peculiar traces of excellence, which 
distinguishes him from and elevates him above his fellow- 
mortals. These expectations are realized in a peculiar 
manner in viewing the person of General Washington. 
His tall and noble stature and just proportions — his fine, 
cheerful, open countenance — simple and modest deport- 
ment — are all calculated to interest every beholder in his 
favor, and to command veneration and respect. He is 
feared even when silent, and beloved even while we are 
unconscious of the motive. The table was elegantly fur- 
nished, and the provisions ample, but not abounding in 
superfluities. The civilities of the table were performed 
by Colonel Hamilton and the other gentlemen of the fam- 
ily, the general and lady being seated at the side of the 
table. In conversation, his excellency's expressive coun- 
tenance is peculiarly interesting and pleasing; a placid 
smile is frequently observed on his lips, but a loud laugh, 
it is said, seldom, if ever, escapes him. He is polite and 
attentive to each individual at table, and retires after the 
compliments of a few glasses. Mrs. Washington combines 
in an uncommon degree great dignity of manner with the 
most pleasing affability, but possesses no striking marks 
of beauty. I learn from the Virginia officers that Mrs. 
Washington has ever been honored as a lady of distin- 
guished goodness, possessing all the virtues which adorn 
her sex, amiable in her temper and deportment, full of 
benignity, benevolence and charity, seeking for objects of 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1779. 161 

affliction and poverty, that she may extend to the suffer- 
ers the hand of kindness and rehef. These surely are 
the attributes which reveal a heart replete with those 
virtues which are so appropriate and estimable in the 
female character. 

Afril ISth. — We have passed a winter remarkably mild 
and moderate ; since the 10th of January, we have scarcely 
had a fall of snow, or a frost, and no severe weather. At 
the beginning of this month the weather was so mild that 
vegetation began to appear; the fruit-trees were budded 
on the 1st, and in full blossom on the 10th. In Virginia 
the peach-trees were in blossom on the 14th of February, 
but a small frost since has, it is feared, proved fatal to 
the fruit. 

14:ih. — I accompanied several gentlemen to the village 
of Middle-brook, where a number of horses were offered 
for sale; I purchased a handsome young bay for six hun- 
dred dollars. This shows the depreciated value of the 
paper money, which we receive for pay; the horse could 
not be valued at more than eighty dollars in silver. 

16th. — The oflEicers of our regiment provided a genteel 
entertainment, and invited Generals Woodford, Small- 
wood, and Muhlenburg, with all the officers of the Virginia 
line, as our guests. Our table was furnished with an 
ample variety of dishes, aud the choicest liquors that could 
be procured. 

20th. — Five soldiers were conducted to the gallows, ac- 
cording to their sentence, for the crimes of desertion and 
robbing the inhabitants. A detachment of troops and a 
concourse of people formed a circle round the gallows, 
and the criminals were brought in a cart, sitting on their 
coffins, and halters about their necks. While in this 
awful situation, trembling on the verge of eternity, three 
of them received a pardon from the commander-in-chief, 
who is always tenderly disposed to spare the lives of his 
soldiers. They acknowledged the j ustice of their sentence, 
and expressed the warmest thankfulness and gratitude for 
their merciful pardon. The two others were obliged to 
submit to their fate; one of them was accompanied to the 
fatal spot by an affectionate and sympathizing brother, 
which rendered the scene uncommonly distressing, and 
forced tears of compassion from the eyes of numerous 



]^g2 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1779. 

spectators. They repeatedly embraced and kissed eacli 
other, with all the fervor of brotherly love, and would 
not be separated till the executioner was obliged to per- 
form his duty, when, with a flood of tears, and mournful 
lamentations, they bade each other an eternal adieu — the 
criminal, trembling under the horrors of an untimely and 
disgraceful death — and the brother, overwhelmed with 
sorrow and anguish for one whom he held most dear. 

May \st. — Thirteen cannon have just announced the 
arrival of M. Gerard, the French minister, and a gentleman 
of distinction from Spain, by the name of Don Juan de 
Mirrilliars; and preparations are making to affoi'd these 
foreign gentlemen an opportunity of reviewing our army. 

2c/. — The whole of our army in this quarter was paraded 
in martial array in aspaci'ms field, and a stage was erected 
for the accommodation of the ladies and gentlemen spec- 
tators. At the signal of thirteen cannon, the great and 
splendid cavalcade approached in martial pomp and style. 
A very beautiful troop of light-horse, commanded by 
Major Lee, a Virginian, marched in front, then followed 
his excellency the commander-in-chief and his aids-de- 
camp, next the foreign ministers and their retinue, and 
the general officers of our army and their aids, closed the 
procession. Having arrived on the field of pai'ade, the 
commander-in-chief, with the foreign ministers and general 
officers, passed in front of the line of the army, from right 
to left, in review, and received the military honors due to 
their rank; after which, the gentlemen dismounted and 
retired to the stage, and took seats with Mrs. Washington, 
Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Knox, and a number of other ladies, 
who had arrived in their carriages. The army then per- 
formed the field manoeuvres and evolutions, with firing of 
cannon and musketry. The business of the day was 
closed by the troops deploying, and marching in fiont of 
the stage, and paying the marching salute to their excel- 
lencies. The whole performance was conducted with such 
marked regularity and precision, as to reflect great honor 
on the character of our army, and aftbrd the commander- 
in-chief and the spectators the highest degree of satisfac- 
tion. On this occasion we cannot but pride ourselves on 
the conspicuous figure exhibited by our commander-in- 
chief. While mounted on his noble bay charger, his 




BJIROJ^ STEUBEJV. P. 163. 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1779. Ig3 

stature appears remarkable; and being a good horseman, 
be displays a lofty carriage, and benign dignity of de- 
meanor, and I hope not to incur the charge of undue 
partiality, when I sa}^, his appearance was incomparably 
more majestic and dignified than either of his illustrious 
visitors, 

l-ith. — Our brigade was paraded for the purpose of being 
reviewed by General Washington and a number of Indian 
chiefs. His excellency, with his usual dignity, followed 
by his mulatto servant Bill, riding a beautiful gray steed, 
passed in front of the line, and received the salute. He 
was accompanied by a singular group of savages, whose 
appearance wae beyond description ludicrous. Their 
horses were of the meanest kind, some of them destitute 
of saddles, and old lines were used for bridles. Their 
personal decorations were equally farcical, having their 
laces painted of various colors, jewels suspended from 
their ears and nose, their heads without covering, except 
tufts of hair on the crown, and some of them wore dirty 
blankets over their shoulders waving in the wind. In 
short, they exhibited a novel and truly disgusting specta- 
cle. But his excellency deems it good policy to pay some 
attention to this tribe of the wilderness, and to convince 
them of the strength and discipline of our army, that they 
may be encouraged, if disposed to be friendly, or deterred 
from aggression, if they should become hostile to our 
country. 

2Sth. — The Baron Steuben reviewed and inspected our 
brigade. The troops were paraded in a single line with 
shouldered arms, every oflEicer in his particular station. 
The baron first reviewed the line in this position, passing 
in front with a scrutinizing eye; after which, he took into 
his hand the muskets and accoutrements of every soldier, 
examining them with particular accuracy and precision, 
applauding or condemning, according to the condition in 
which he found them. He required that the musket and 
bayonet should exhibit the brightest polish; not a spot of 
rust or defect in any part could elude his vigilance. He 
inquired also into the conduct of the officers towards their 
men, censuring every fault and applauding every merito- 
rious action. Next he required of me, as surgeon, a li§t 
of the sick, with a particular statement of their accommo- 



154 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1779. 

dations and mode of treatment, and even visited some of 
the sick in their cabins. The baron has sustained the 
office of aid-de-camp to his Majesty the King of Prussia, 
and is now inspector-general with the rank of major-gen- 
eral in our army. He appears to be about fift}^ years of 
age, and is venerable and dignified in his deportment, rich 
and elegant in dress, having a splendid medal of gold and 
diamonds, designating the order oi fidelity^ suspended at 
his breast. He is held in universal respect, and consid- 
ered as a valuable acquisition to our country. He is dis- 
tinguished for his profound knowledge of tactics, his 
ability to reform and discipline an army — for his affection- 
ate attachment to a good and faithful soMier, and liis utter 
aversion to every appearance of insubordination and neg- 
lect of duty. The continental army has improved with 
great rapidity under his inspection and review. 

30/A. — Dined with Major Storer, at his quarters in the 
country. Spent a few hours at General St. Clair's quar- 
ters, with Dr. McKenzie and Major Dunn, and called on 
Colonel Scammel at the adjutant-general's office. 

June 10th. — Smith's Clove is a fine level plain of rich 
land, situated at the foot of the high mountains on the 
west side of Hudson river. It is about fourteen miles in 
the rear of the garrison at West Point, and surrounded on 
all sides by the highlands. The few families who reside 
here find a profitable employment in cultivating the fertile 
soil. Oar brigade marched from quarters at Middle-brook 
on the 2d instant, and arrived at Morristown, where we 
received orders to leave all our heavy baggage, and pro- 
ceed with all possible expedition, as the enemy was ad- 
vancing towards West Point. Marched rapidly through 
Tro}^, Pompton ffnd Eingwood, and on the 7th instant, 
encamped in the Clove. By a number of deserters from 
the enemy, information has been received that the greater 
part of the British army is advancing, and is now near 
King's ferry, only thirteen miles below West Point; and 
that part of their fleet is proceeding up the river: their 
object is supposed to be the garrison at West Point. For 
the security of this very important post, General Wash- 
ington has arranged his army as follows: Three divisions, 
consisting of the Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania 
troops, commanded by Major-Generals Lord Stirling, 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1779. . lt}5 

Baron de Kalb, and Major-General St. Clair, form the 
right wing, and is commanded by General Putnam as the 
senior major-general, and posted at Smith's Clove. All 
the New England troops, including the militia, compose 
the left wing, and are so distributed at West Point and 
its vicinity, on the east side of the river, as to guard all 
the passes leading to the garrison. Our army thus posted 
is supposed to be adequate to the defence of the garrison 
against all the force which the enemy can bring in array 
against it; and such is the confidence among our officers, 
that many of them express a strong desire that the royal 
troops would afford an opportunity to try our strength 
and courage. Should this be the event, the struggle must 
indeed be violent, and the slaughter immense. The Brit- 
ish commander, however, not deeming it prudent to haz- 
ard a battle, after a few days retired to New York. 

12//^ — Two officers of our regiment have just had 
occasion to adjust an affair of honor. Captain E. had, 
given offence to Captain H., and a challenge ensued. 
Captain E. was well apprised that if the ball from the 
pistol of his antagonist should pass through his heart, it 
would produce immediate death : of course it was most 
prudent to decline the hazardous combat. But the con- 
sequence is, he subjected himself to a contest of a less hon- 
orable nature. His antagonist inflicted the chastisement 
of the horse-whip. This he supported with wonderful 
fortitude and magnanimity; apprehending, probably, that 
powder and ball might prove more disastrous than the 
chastisement which he had received. But his brother- 
officers treated him with contempt, and threatened to hoot 
him out of camp. There is a kind of mechanical courage 
excited by the necessit}^ of the occasion, which may push 
a coward to venture on an act of heroism. This fact was 
nov exemplified ; for Captain E., reduced to the alterna- 
tive of retrieving his character in a spirited manner, or 
of quitting the army in disgrace, came to the desperate 
resolution of deciding his fate by facing his bold antago- 
nist in single combat. The usual arrangements being 
made, my services as surgeon were held in requisition. 
The parlies took their stand at ten paces, and each dis- 
charged his pistol. But behold, a harmless explosion! no 
blood shed, not even a hair of their heads injured. But 



163 MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1779. 

tlie combatants conducted like gentlemen of honor: of 
course, harmony and mutual friendship were restored. 
Captain E. has the best cause of triumph, for he has res- 
cued his character from the stigma of poltroon, to an hon- 
orable standing among the gentlemen officers. 

14^/1. — I rode with Major Meriweather to West Point; 
took our route through the woods, over abrupt and rocky 
mountains, almost impassable for our horses. Spent an 
hour at General Parsons's head-quarters, then crossed the 
North river to Fishkill. The next day we recrossed at 
Fishkill-landing, and rode to New AVindsor, thence we 
visited my friend Colonel Malcolm at his seat fourteen 
miles in the country. This gentleman, having resigned 
his office in the army, is beautifully situated on a farm 
wesfof the Hudson, retired from the bustle of war, and 
devoted to domestic affairs and rural enjoyments. We 
spent the night with this agreeable family, and Mrs. Mal- 
colm received in the evening the visits of a number of 
ladies and gentlemen. We returned to our camp the next 
morning, and found the brigade under marching orders. 

16/A. — We marched from Smith's Clove through a thick 
wilderness, and over the prodigious highland mountains. 
My curiosity was excited by. a vast number of huge rocks, 
marked with fissures and cavities, occasioned by some 
stupendous power beyond our comprehension. These, 
with various brooks, winding in every direction, among 
rude clefts and precipices, afford a singular and romantic 
landscape. Our path was narrow and rugged, and proba- 
bly will not again be traversed but by savages and wild 
beasts. We arrived here in the evening, without our 
baggage, and were obliged to seek lodgings among our 
friends. The next day dined with Dr. I, Thomas, and 
accompanied him to General Patterson's quarters, where 
we spent the evening, and I was introduced to Major Has- 
kill, aid-de-camp to General Patterson. He is a native of 
Rochester, and Dr. Thomas of Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

20lh. — I have lately been favored with a letter from my 
friend Dr. D. Townsend, who is a surgeon in the military 
hospital at Providence, state of Rhode Island. He invites 
me to accept of the office of surgeon to the Massachusetts 
regiment, commanded by Colonel Henry Jackson, which 
is now stationed at that place. My principal inducement 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1779. 167 

to exchange my present station for the proposed new ap- 
pointment is, that Colonel Jackson and all his officers are 
from my native state, and there is a prospect of receiving 
some compensation in clothing and other articles to which 
I could have no claim while serving in the Virginia line. 
It is proper, and on many accounts convenient, that offi- 
cers should serve in the line of their own state; and 
though I have enjoyed the most friendly intercourse, and 
numerous kind favors from the Virginians, yet I cannot 
but prefer the manners and habits of the New Engianders. 

21si!.— The officers of our regiment invited a select num- 
ber of officers of the Pennsylvania line to dine on sturgeon, 
a large fish which Major Meriweather caught in the North 
river. This fish is a favorite with the Dutch, at Albany, 
and is on that account by some called Albany beef; but 
in my view it is worse than horse beef, and it was merely 
an auxiliary to our table. 

24:th.—l have just had the satisfaction, with a number 
of gentlemen, of viewing a remarkably large fat ox, which 
has been presented by some gentlemen in Connecticut to 
his Excellency General Washington. He is six feet seven 
inches high, and weighs on the hoof three thousand five 
hundred pounds, the largest animal I ever beheld. 

Having resolved to resign my commission in Colonel 
Gibson's regiment, I shall in a few days commence my 
journey to Providence, and join the regiment commanded 
by, Colonel H. Jackson. Colonel Gibson has favored me 
with a complimentary certificate of my services. It is 
with sincere regret that I bid adieu to those associates, for 
whom I have a strong attachment. 

July Ist. — Engaged to spend this evening with General 
Patterson and Dr. Crowell, and to breakfast with the Rev. 
Mr. Avery and Mr. Hitchcock, and shall immediately set 
olf for Providence, in company with Dr. Skinner. 

I left West Point, in company with Dr. Skinner, on the 
2d instant, and on the 3d arrived at CVompond, where my 
favorite young horse was seized with the horse distemper, 
and I was put to the cruel necessity of disposing of him 
for not one-half his real value. Pursued our journey 
through Litchfield and Farmington, in Connecticut, and 
the next day reached Hartford, a well-built, handsome 
town on Connecticut river, and the capital of that state. 



-^QQ MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1779. 

Having crossed over to East Hartford, we found the wliole 
country in a state of alarm in consequence of the enemy's 
having landed at New Haven, and there committing dep- 
redations among the inhabitants. A spirit of revenge 
seemed to pervade the whole country, and the militia 
were marching from all quarters to encounter and arrest 
the progress of the invading foe. We passed through 
Windham, and arrived at this place on the 8th instant. 
Here I had an interview with my old friends Drs. Brown 
and Townsend, surgeons of the hospital. I was by Dr. 
Townsend introduced to Colonel Jaclrson and his officers, 
and I commenced my duty by visiting the sick soldiers of 
the regiment. The field-officers of this regiment are Col- 
onel Henry Jackson, Lieutenant-Colonel David Cobb, and 
Major Lemuel Trescott. It is now learned that the party 
of the enemy that landed at New Haven was commanded 
by Governor Tryon, and consisted of three thousand men. 
They met with a powerful resistance from the militia, 
which occasioned skirmishing, and a considerable loss on 
each side. After plundering the inhabitants of Fairfield 
and Norwalk, they maliciously destroyed both these flour- 
ishing towns, with their houses of religious worship, by a 
general conflagration. 

ISth. — Dined with Colonel Jackson, and in the afternoon 
rode with Major Trescott to Pawtuxet, a very pleasant 
ride of about five miles, 

21-s^. — By express from General Washington to General 
Gat^s, we are informed of a glorious victory, which a 
detachment of our arm}^, commanded by the intrepid 
General AVayne, obtained over the enemy at Stony Point, 
situated on the banks of the North river. In consequence 
of this intelligence, thirteen cannon have been fired at the 
several posts in this department. ' Extract from General 
Gates' orders: 

"Providence, July 2ls(, 1779. 
"The general congratulates the army on the glorious success of 
Brigadier-General Wayne, and the gallant troops under his command, 
in taking by assault the enemy's fortified post at Stony Point, and, 
witli tlie point of tiie bayonet alone, forcing the garrisun to surrender 
at discretion, not one man escaping. This signal and brilliant victory 
was gained with the loss of but fifteen men killed, and the general and 
eiglity-three wounded, while, on the part of the enemy, five hundred 
soldiers and twenty oflScers were killed, wounded and taken prisoners, 
with all their cannon, arms, military-stores and provisions." 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 169 

SOth. — Dined at head-quarters with a number of gentle- 
men; was introduced to General Gates by Dr. Brown. 
General Gates is the commander-in-chief in this de{)art- 
ment; his capture of General Burgoyne at Saratoga, in 
1777, has given him eclat and popularity as a brave and 
skillful warrior. He displays the complaisant manners 
of a gentleman ; in conversation he is aft'able and interest- 
ing, but appears better versed in military tactics than in 
subjects appertaining to general science. He adopted the 
profession of arms in his early days, and his prowess and 
valor, as well as his zeal and partiality for our country, 
are incontestably established. 

Congress have recently passed the following resolve in 
favor of an American heroine: "That Margaret Corbin, 
who was wounded and disabled at the attack of Fort 
Wiishington, while she heroically filled the post of her 
husbaud, who was killed by her side, serving a piece of 
ai tillery, do receive duiing her natural life, or the con- 
tinuance of the said di^'abilitv, the one-half of the monthly 
pay drawn by a soldier in the service of these states; and 
that she now receive, out of the public stores, one com- 
plete suit of clothes, or the value theretjf in money." 

Mr. T., an ensign in our regiment, has for some time 
discovered symptoms of mental derangement. He is fre- 
quently strolling abroad, and amusing jieople with his wit 
and humor, or arresting attention by his solemn appeals 
to the Deity. Yesterday he intruded himself at Genei-al 
Gates' head-quarters, and after some amusing conversation, 
he put himself in the attitude of devotion, and prayed that 
God would pardon General Gates for endeavoring to super- 
sede that god-like man Washington. The generiil appeared 
to be much disturbed, and directed Mr. Pierce, his aid-de- 
camp, to take him away. Whether this address provoked 
in the general a consciousness of the fact is unceitain, but 
the subject is of such a delicate nature that no man in his 
sober senses would have broached it to him. 

August. — The British a few weeks since detached a 
force ,from Halifax, and established a post on Penobscot 
river, in the Province of Maine. Their force is supposed 
to consist of about one thousand men, under command of 
Brigadier-General Maclean, with several armed vessels, 
which occupy the river. This invasion of our territory 



l^Q MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1779. 

has excited the greatest indignation, and all classes of 
people are burning with an ardent desire of revenge. The 
General Court of Massachusetts have planned an expedi- 
tion, lor the purpose of driving the invading foe from our 
shores. Such was their zeal and confidence of success, 
that it is said the General Court neither consulted any 
experienced military character, nor desired the assistance 
of any continental troops on this important enterprise — 
thus taking on themselves the undivided responsibilit}!', 
and reserving for their own heads all the laurels to be 
derived from the anticipated conquest. They drafted one 
thousand five hundred militia, and appointed General 
Lovell, who acquired some reputation in Rhode Island, 
under General Sullivan, the last year, to command the 
expedition. They obtained of Congress the loan of the 
United States frigate Warren, of thirty-two guns, and with 
an unprecedented spirit of enterprise and industry, no less 
than nineteen continental, state, and private ships, and 
more than twenty transports, were specially equipped, and 
prepared to cooperate with the land forces destined for 
this service, With a laudable spirit of patriotism, and 
animated by the flattering prospect of success, thirty 
masters of merchant vessels in Newburyport honorably 
volunteered their services as common seamen. Captain 
Saltonstall was appointed commodore of the fleet, and took 
his station on board the Warren frigate. This combined 
force sailed about the 20th of July on their destined ser- 
vice, but having some reason to apprehend a failure of 
their enterprise, the Genera! Court have applied to General 
Gates for permission for Colonel Jackson's regiment to re- 
inforce General Lovell, to which he has assented, and we 
are accordingly under marching orders. 

Colonel Henry Jackson, who commands our regiment, 
is a native of Boston; he is very respectable as a com- 
mander, is gentlemanly in liis manners, strongly attached 
to military affairs, and takes a peculiar pride in the dis- 
cipline and martial appearance of his regiment. Many of 
his officers are from Boston and its vicinity ; they appear 
in handsome style, and are ambitious to display their taste 
for military life and their zeal to contend with the enemies 
of their country. Colonel Jackson, with his regiment, 
acquired reputation by their gallantry in the battle on 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1779. 171 

Rhode Island, under Genernl Sullivan. Our regiment 
consists of about four hundred men, in complete uniform, 
well disciplined, and uot inferior to any in the continental 
army. We commenced a forced march from Providence 
on the 10th, and completed the forty miles in twenty-four 
hours. A severe rain all night did not much impede our 
march, But the troops were broken down with fatigue. 
We reached Boston-neck at sun-rising, and near the en- 
trance of the neck is a tavern having for its sign a repre- 
sentation of a globe, with a man in the act of struggling 
to get through it; his bead and shouldei's were out, his 
arms extended, and the rest of his body inclosed in the 
globe. On a label from bis mouth was written, "Oh! 
how shall I get through this world?" This was read by 
the soldiers, and one of them exclaimed, "List, d — n you, 
list, and you will soon get through this world! Our regi- 
ment will all be through it in an hour or two, if we don't 
halt by the way." 

We are treated by the gentlemen of this town with great 
attention and respect. They have generously presented 
to Colonel Jackson and the officers of his regiment a hogs- 
head of Jamaica spirits and a cask of wine. For the 
soldiers they have collected a liberal sum of money, which 
is distributed among them. A public dinner is to be pro- 
vided at the Bunch of Grapes tavern for the officers, before 
our departure. The transports are in preparation to re- 
ceive our troops on board. 

On the 1-ith, our regiment marched through the town 
to the Long wharf, and embarked on board the transports, 
receiving as we passed thiough King-street the cheers of 
the inhabitants. After the regiment had embarked, the 
officers, according to previous arrangement, returned to 
the Bunch of Grapes tavern, where a liberal and elegant 
entertainment had been provided, and where we v/ere 
politely received by a number of respectable gentlemen 
of the town. Having dined and enjoyed a number of 
songs over the cheering glass, wishing success to the 
Penobscot expedition, we repaired on board our respective 
transports, awaiting a fair wind for our voj'age. Our 
transports are the Rising Empire, a brig carrying eight 
guns, two sloops, and one schooner. Our convoy is the 
ship Renown, of fourteen guns, and a brig of sixteen 



]_72 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1779. 

guns. About four o'clock on the 15tli instant, the Ke- 
nown, our convoy, fired her signal-guns for sailing, on 
which our little fleet weighed anchor, and after giving 
three cheers, which were returned by a concourse of 
people on the wharves, and by a French ship in the har- 
bor, we sailed after our convoy, but dropped anchor near 
Castle William, by reason of contrary winds. 

VJth. — In the evening we obeyed the signal-guns, and 
were beating against contrary wind oft' Cape Anne till the 
19th, when we fell in with a small boat ofl" the Isle of 
Shoals, which had been despatched with the unwelcome 
intelligence that our fleet at Penobscot had been attacked 
by the British, and was totally defeated and destroyed, 
and that our land forces, under General Lovell, were also 
entirely defeated and dispersed. Orders were received for 
our fleet to put into Portsmouth harbor for safety, as sev- 
eral British ships were supposed to be in pursuit of us. 

2ilst. — Our regiment disembarked and encamped at Kit- 
tery ; being Sunday, I accompanied several of our officers 
to the Reverend Mr. Hemmenway's church; he is a 
sensible and animating preacher, displaying considerable 
eloquence and much orthodoxy. In his fervent prayers, 
he was not forgetful of the calamities of war, and the 
righteous cause in which we are engaged. Here we have 
a confirmation of the unfortunate failure of the Penobscot 
expedition, which is a source not only of universal regret, 
but of infinite chagrin and mortification among all who 
had been concerned in the plan, 

August. — Having received orders to march to Fal- 
mouth, (now Portland,) left Kittery on the 28d instant, 
and on the 27th entered this town in martial order, and 
were received with marks of the greatest joy and satisfac- 
tion, as the inhabitants were under serious apprehensions 
of a visit from the British, We behold here only the 
relics of a town, which a few years since was very respect- 
able and flourishing. It was the capital of the province 
of Maine, and enjoyed the happy prospect of becoming 
one of the most important seaports in New England, But 
in October, 1775, the inhabitants opposed the lading of a 
British vessel with ship timber, which so enraged Admiral 
Graves, that he sent Captain Mowed with several ships of 
war, demanding of the inhabitants to deliver up all their 




oejveh^l ^jvtnujvy wjiYj\rE. p. jrp 



JIILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 173 

artillery and small arms. On refusal to comply with this 
dt'mand, the enemy opened a severe cannonade, which 
soon set fire to the town, and no less than four hundred 
and eight houses, stores and other buildings, were con- 
sumed to ashes. A large number of seamen and mariners 
were landed, but the people having collected in consider- 
able force, compelled the enemy to retreat to their boats, 
with the loss of several men. 

B}^ several gentlemen j,ust returned from Penobscot, I 
have obtained the following particulars respecting the 
failure of the expedition. On the arrival of General 
Lovell, instead of one thousand five hundred militia, nine 
hundred only could be collected; it was resolved, how- 
ever, in a council of war, to make an attempt to achieve 
the ol)ject of the expedition; accoiclingly, on the 28th of 
July, the militia, with about three humli'ed marines, were 
disembarked, and soon effected a landing under a height 
which rc^se almost perpendicularly from the banks of tlie 
river, on the summit of which the enemy's advanced guard 
was po.sted under cover of a wood. Our militia were op- 
posed by about an equal number of the enemy, whom tliey 
bravely encountered and drove within their works; but 
we suffered a loss of several officers of merit, and about 
one hundred of the militia and marines were killed and 
wounded. It now became a subject of consideration 
whether it was expedient to storm the enemy's principal 
works, but in a council it was decided that our force was 
inadequate to the object. It was at this juncture supposed 
that by a vigorous cooperation of our navy, a complete 
victory might have been obtained, and the most ui'gent 
and pressing entreaties were made to Commodoie Salion- 
stall lor the purpose, but he declined, and continued in a 
state of pusillanimous inactivity, thereby proclaiming him- 
self lotally incompetent to the important trust with which, 
most uni'ortunately, he had been invested. 

On the l-ilh instant. Sir George Collier, with a sixty- 
four-guu ship and five frigates, arrived ironi New York. 
General Lovell, on receiving this intelligence, ordered all 
his troops, with the artillery and baggage, to be embarked 
on board the transports, which, with our whole fleet, 
moved up the Penobscot river, pursued by the British. 
Ou the near approach of the enemy, our vessels were 



I'J^ MILITAEY JOURNAL, 17V9. 

abandoned; two of them fell into the hands of the enemy, 
the remainder were burned and blown up. General Lov- 
ell and General Peleg Wadsworth, the second in command, 
both of whom have the reputation of brave men, now dis- 
pensed with all command of the troops, as did Salton stall 
of the seamen. The soldiers separated from their officers, 
and every individual was seeking his own safety, wander- 
ing in the wilderness, suffering fatigue, hunger, and vex- 
ation, till after much difficulty tbey reached the settlements ' 
on the Kennebec; a few of their number indeed actually 
perished in the wilderness. Thus disgracefully has ended 
the famous Penobscot expedition, which, had a competent 
force been provided, might have terminated to the glory 
of Massachusetts. Those concerned in the plan or its 
execution, a few individuals excepted, were publicly exe- 
crated. The expense attending the expedition is immense. 
The fleet was invaluable, and its loss is altogether irrepar- 
able. It was extremely fortunate for our regiment that 
we were detained two or three days on our passage by 
contrary winds; had there been no impediment to onr 
voyage, we must inevitably have fallen into the hands of 
the enemy. 

September Bd. — Two armed vessels, accompanied by two 
others, being perceived approaching this harbor, excited 
a great degree of consternation among the inhabitants, but 
it was soon ascertained to be our two continental frigates, 
the Boston and the Dean, returning from a cruise with 
two prizes of very considerable value, and having on 
board two hundred soldiers for the British army, and 
stores and goods to a large amount. 

The inhabitants of this town have shown us numerous 
marks of respect and generous hospitality. A respectable 
committee of the town have invited our officers to a tavern 
to partake of a treat of punch and wine, in company with 
a number of respectable inhabitants, and we experience 
many other polite civilities, indicating a disposition to 
contribute to the comfort and happiness of those who are 
serving the great cause of our common country. Orders 
are now received from General Gates for our regiment to 
return immediately to Boston. 

Commenced our march from Falmouth on the 7th in- 
stant; passed through Scarborough, Kennebunk and York, 



MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1V79. 175 

to Portsmouth, in New Hampsliire. At York, all the 
officers of our regiment were politely invited to an elegant 
breakfast, with the genteel and hospitable family of Mr. 
Sewall. Having crossed the ferry at Portsmouth on the 
10th, we encamped on the common. A number of gen- 
tlemen of this town treated us with buckets of punch at 
the ferry-wa}', and as we passed through the streets. This 
attention was extremely grateful during the heat and fa- 
tigue of the day. We had the satisfaction of visiting the 
seventy-four-gun ship on the stocks near this town; she 
will be ready for sea in June next. This is the first sev- 
enty-four ever built in America. On the 12th, crossed 
the ferry at Newbury, and marched to Ipswich Hamlet, 
passing through Salem; we reached Cambridge on the 
14th, and encamped on the common. Accompanied a 
number of ladies and gentlemen to view the colleges, and 
were admitted to the library-room and museum. From 
Cambridge we marched to Dorchester Point, where we 
embarked in boats, crossed over to the castle, and en- 
camped. On the 18th, went with Colonel Jackson to 
Boston to attend the funeral of a Mr. Deshon, a brother- 
mason. A procession of one hundred and twenty of the 
brethren preceded the corpse, and added greatly to the 
solemnity of the occasion. 

Walking in the street, I met with James Otis, Esq. 
He has for some time labored under an unhappy mental 
derangement. I had no expectation that I should be re- 
cognized by him, but he accosted me in a very familiar 
manner by my Christian name, and inquired about my 
connexions. He was inquisitive respecting the affairs of 
the army, and wished to be informed whether I had on 
any occasion been exposed to personal danger, and whether 
my courage had liailed me. A friend related to me the 
following anecdote, which he received from 0. W. Esq., 
who was present on the occasion: Mr. Otis invited several 
respectable gentlemen to dinner; in carving at table, he 
observed a tish not sufficiently boiled, which drew from 
him some expressions of disapprobation. His lady re- 
torted with an air of ill-humor. Mr. Otis, wishing to avoid 
altercation, waived his rebuke till dinner was finished, 
when he rendered thanks to God that, among other fa- 



176 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1779. 

vors, the guests had escaped the danger of having their 
noses snapped off at table. 

A particular account of the brilliant achievement in the 
capture of tlie fortress at Stony Point, by General Wayne, 
has been obtained. Stony Point is a strongly-fortified post 
on the west bank of the Hudson, near King's ferry. The 
possession of this post is of vast importance to either army, 
9,s it completely commands the great road, and the ferry- 
way which affords communication between the middle and 
eastern states. This fortress has lately been visited by Sir 
Henry Clinton in person, and by his orders strengthened, 
and rendered, as supposed, entirely defensible. General 
Washiiigton was extremely desii'ous to dislodge the enemy 
from this position, and to Brigadier-General Wayne he 
intrusted the hazardous enterprise. At the head of his 
detachment of light-infantry, consisting of one thousand 
two hundred, he marched about fourteen miles, reached 
the vicinity of the fort at eleven o'clock in the evening of 
July the IGih, and instantly prepared for the assault. He 
peremptorily ordered that every man sliould advance in 
silence with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. A 
soldier disobeyed his order, and began to load his piece; 
the order was repeated, and he persisted in the resolution 
to load, on which an officer instantly run him through the 
body with his sword. On no occasion is a strict obedience 
to orders more indispensable than at this critical moment; 
had a single gun been fired, the victory might have been 
lost, or the slaughter been inmiense. The plan being ad- 
justed, one hundred and fifty volunteers under Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel FJeury, a French gentleman, formed the van 
of the right column, and one hundred volunteers, under 
Major Stuart, composed the van of the left column, each 
of which was preceded by a forlorn hope of twenty picked 
men, connnanded by Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox, ibr 
the express purpose of removing the abatis and other 
obstructions. At about twenty minutes after twelve, the 
columns advanced to the assault, and such was the impetu- 
osity of the troops, that in the face of a most tremendous 
and incessant fire of musketry and cannon loaded with 
grape-shot, they forced their way at the point of the bay- 
onet, surmounted every obstacle, and both columns met 
in the centre of the enemy's works nearly at the same 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 177 

instant. Colonel Fleury first entered the fort, and struck 
their standard with his own hand. Major Posey was the 
first to give the watch-word, "The fort's our own." Gen- 
eral Wayne, in his letter to the commander-in-chief, extoJts 
highly the brave conduct of his officers and men, and jnir- 
ticularizes Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury, Major Stuart, Col- 
onels Butler, Hull, Meigs and Febiger, for their exemplary 
valor and intrepidity. Lieutenant-Colonel Hay was 
wounded in the thigh, while fighting with firmness in the 
heat of the action. General Wayne himself received a 
slight wound in his head, but, supported by his aids, he 
entered the fort with the troops. The truly brave are 
ever ambitious of distinguishing themselves by a nice ob- 
servance of the laws of humanity and generosity towards 
the conquered foe. It is highly creditable to our troops, 
that they conducted towards the prisoners with a humane 
forbearance, which is directly the reverse of the conduct of 
the British on too many similar occasions; they disdained 
to take the lives of those who were in their power, and 
calling for mercy; not an individual suffered after their 
surrender, and this will account for the few of the enemy 
killed on this occasion; being about one hundred killed 
and wounded. The continentals had fifteen killed and 
eighty-three wounded. The number of prisoners was five 
hundred and fortj'-three. Colonel Johnson, commander 
of the fort, and several other officers, were among the 
number. It is remarkable that out of the twenty men 
who formed the forlorn hope, under Lieutenant Gibbon, 
seventeen were killed or wounded. 

General Washington's letter to Congress applauds the 
conduct of all the oflicers and men; but he names partic- 
ular officers, whose situation placed them foremost in 
danger, which rendered their conduct more conspicuous. 
Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox, he observes, who com- 
manded the advanced parties, ot forlorn hope, acquitted 
themselves, as well as it was possible. With respect to 
General Wayne, he observes, "that his conduct throughout 
the whole of this arduous enterprise, merits the warmest 
approbation of Congress; he improved on the plan recom- 
mended by me, and executed it in a manner that does 
signal honor to his judgment and to his bravery. In a 
critical moment of the assault, he received a flesh-wound 



^78 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1779. 

in the head, with a musket-ball, but continued leading on 
his men with unshaken firmness." His excellency in- 
formed Congress that two flags and two standards were 
taken, the former belonging to the garrison, the latter to 
the 17th regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel Hull, at the head 
of four hundred light-infantry, displayed a noble gallantry, 
for which he teceived the thanks of General Wayne and 
of Washington, 

As distinguishing marks of approbation. Congress di- 
rected that a gold medal, emblematical of the action, be 
presented to Brigadier-General Wayne, and a silver one 
to Lieutenant-Colonel Fleury and Major Stuart, and bre- 
vets of captain given to Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox, 
and that the value of the military stores taken, should be 
divided among the gallant troops who reduced Stony 
Point, in .such a manner as the commander-in-chief should 
prescribe. 

The fortifications at Paulus Hook, on the west side of 
North river, opposite New York city, was taken by Major 
Lee of the horse. The garrison made a faint resistance 
and surrendered. Major Southerland and about fifteeri 
of his men escaped to a small block-house. The approach 
of day, and the vicinity of the main body of the enemy, 
made it impossible to bring off any stores. The conti- 
nentals had possession of all the artillery and magazine; 
the prisoners were one hundred and thirty-four, rank and 
file, and seven ofiicers; about forty were killed. Major 
Lee's loss is said to be very few^ in killed and wounded; 
four only is the number mentioned. 

According to orders from General Gates, our regiment 
left Castle William on the 26th, and arrived at Providence 
on the 28th instant, and encamped at Fox's Point. Sun- 
day I rode with several of&cers to Pawtuxet, to attend the 
religious services of the celebrated Mr. Murray, whose 
proliessed doctrine is the universal salvation of mankind. 
Mr. Murray is not admitted into the pulpits of the ortho- 
dox clergy; his peculiar sentiments are revolting to the 
consciences, and repugnant to the belief of a large propor- 
tion of the people of New England, In this village the 
people are destitute of an ordained minister. The audience 
was numerous, and the preacher peculiarly eloquent; 
freely and solemnly declaring the sentiments which he 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1779. 179 

has adopted, and quoting various portions of Scripture to 
enforce a belief in the opinion which his own conscience 
and judgment approve. 

General Prescott, who was taken at Khode Island by 
Colonel Barton, on his route through Connecticut, called 
at a tavern to dine; the landlady brought on the table a 
dish of succotash (boiled corn and beans). The general, 
unaccustomed to such kind of food, with much warmth 
exclaimed, "What! do you treat us with the food of 
hogs?" and taking the dish from the table, emptied the 
contents over the floor. The landlord, being informed of 
this, soon entered with his horsewhip, and gave the gen- 
eral a severe chastisement. After the general was ex- 
changed, and he resumed his command on the island, the 
inhabitants of Nantucket deputed Dr. Gilston to negotiate 
some concerns wath General Prescott, in behalf of the 
town. Prescott treated the doctor very cavalierly, and 
gave as the cause, that the doctor looked so like that cl — d 
landlord who horsewhipped him in Connecticut, that he 
could not treat him with civility. 

"When the Count D'Estaing's fleet appeared near the 
British batteries, in the harbor of Rhode Island, a severe 
cannonade was commenced, and several shot passed through 
the houses in town, and occasioned great consternation 
among the inhabitants. A shot passed through the door 
of Mrs. Mason's house, just above the floor. The fam- 
ily were alarmed, not knowing where to flee for safety. 
A negro man ran and sat himself down very composedly, 
with his back against the shot-hole in the door, and being 
asked by 3'oung Mr. Mason why he chose that situation, he 
replied, " Massa, you never know two bullet go in one place." 

October. — Information is received that the enemy are 
preparing to evacuate the town of Newpoit. They have 
burned the hght-house, blown up some of their works, and 
embarked their heavy baggage. 

16^//. — It is ascertained that the British have abandoned 
the town of Newport, and that some of our troops have 
taken possession of the town. It is but justice to remark, 
that the enemy left the town in good condition, and that 
they treated the inhabitants with civility. They left a 
large quantity of hay, wood, and military stores. Our 
regiment is under marching orders. 



180 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1779. 

November. — In obedience to orders, we marclied from 
Providence on the 8th instant, passing throngh the towns 
of Coventry, Windham, Bolton, Hartford, Woodbury, and 
Newtown, and arrived at Danbury, (Conn.,) on the 23d. 
Oar regiment is united with General Stark's brigade, the 
whole of which is now billeted in private houses. Dan- 
bury was formerly a flourishing town, but the principal 
part of it has been destroyed by the enemy. A soldier 
having anointed himself for the itch, with mercurial oint- 
ment, last night, was found dead this morning; and an- 
other suffered the same fate, in consequence of drinking 
six gills of rum. Our troops have suffered greatly by 
snow and rain, and excessively bad travelling, since we 
left Providence. 

December. — Our brigade left Danbury on the 5th instant. 
It snowed all the afternoon, and we took shelter in the 
woods at Cortland's manor. Ilaving no other shelter than 
bushes thrown together, we passed a very cold, uncom- 
fortable night. Marched the next day through a deep 
snow, and took lodgings at night in private houses at 
Crompond; marched again early, crossed the Hudson at 
King's ferry, and proceeded twenty miles, it being late at 
night before our men could all find accommodations in 
the scattering houses and barns on the road. I visited 
my friend Doctor S. Findley, of General Glover's brigade, 
and being invited to breakfast, the only food he could 
furnish was coffee, without milk or sugar, and meagre 
beef-steaks, without bread or even salt. Such has been 
for some time the unaccountable scarcity of provisions in 
the main army. We marched to Pompton on the 9th, 
and on the 14th reached this wilderness, about three miles 
from Morristown, where we are to build log-huts for win- 
ter-quarters. Our baggage is left in the rear, for want of 
wagons to transport it. The snow on the ground is about 
two feet deep, and the weather extremely cold; the sol- 
diers are destitute of both tents and blankets, and some 
of them are actuall}'' barefooted and almost naked. Our 
only defence against the inclemency of the weather, con- 
sists of brush-wood thrown together. ^ Our lodging the last 
night was on the frozen ground. Those officers who have 
the privilege of a horse, can always have a blanket at 
band. Having removed the snow, we wrapped ourselves 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1779. 131 

in great-coats, spread our blankets on the ground, and lay 
down by the side of each other five or six together, with 
large fires at our feet, leaving orders with the waiters to 
keep it well supplied with fuel during the night. We 
could procure neither shelter nor forage for our horses, 
and the poor animals were tied to trees in the woods for 
twenty-four hours without food, except the bark which 
they peeled from the trees. Lieutenant W. and myself 
rode to Morristown, where we dined, and fed our starving 
horses at a tavern. General Washington has taken his 
head-quarters at Morristown, and the whole army in this 
department are to be employed in building log huts for 
winter-quarters. The ground is marked out, and the sol- 
diers have commenced cutting down the timber of oak 
and walnut, of which we have a great abundance. Ou7 
baggage has at length arrived, the men find it very diffi- 
cult to pitch their tents on the frozen ground, and notwitL 
standing large fires, we can scarcely keep from freezing. 
In addition to other sufferings, the whole army has been 
for seven or eight days entirely destitute of the staft" of 
life ; our only food is miserable fresh beef, without bread, 
salt, or vegetables. 

It is a circumstance greatly to be deprecated, that the 
army, who are devoting their lives and every thing dear 
to the defence of our country's freedom, should be sub- 
jected to such unparalleled privations, while in the midst 
of a countr}^ abounding in every kind of provisions. The 
time has before occurred when the army was on the point 
of dissolution for the want of provisions, and it is to be 
ascribed to their patriotism, and to a sense of honor and 
duty, that they have not long since abandoned the cause 
of their country. The heroic fortitude with which our 
officers and soldiers support their distresses, proclaims 
their fidelity and intrinsic merit. Besides the evils above 
mentioned, we experience another, in the rapid deprecia- 
tion of the continental money, which we receive for our 
pay ; it is now estimated at -about thirty for one. It is 
from this cause, according to report, that our comrhissary- 
general is unable to furnish the army with a proper supply 
of provisions. The people in the country are unwilling 
to sell the produce of their farms for this depreciated cur- 
rency, and both the resources and the credit of our Con- 



IQ2 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1779. 

gress anpear to be almost exhausted. The year is now 
closed, and with it expires the term of enlistment of a 
considerable number of our soldiers; new conditions are 
offered them to encourage their reenlistment during the 
war; but such are the numerous evils which they have 
hitherto experienced, that it is feared but a small propor- 
tion of them will reenlist. Should these apprehensions be 
realized, the fate of our country, and the destiny of its 
present rulers and friends, will soon be decided. 

It has hitherto been our grievous misfortune, that the 
several states have attempted to supply their quota of the 
army by short enlistments. No fact is more susceptible 
of demonstration, than that enlisting or draughting men 
for nine months or one year never fails of being attended 
with disappointment and a train of pernicious consequen- 
ces. General Washington has, from the beginning of the 
contest, most pointedly protested against it, and labored 
with unwearied assiduity to induce the states to adopt a 
more just and permanent system. By the present mode, 
the strength of the army is continually precarious and 
fluctuating; the recruits have scarcely time to learn the 
discipline and police of a camp, before they are at liberty 
to return to their farms, and their places are supplied by 
others who require the same course of instruction. The 
consequence is, that but a small proportion of our troops 
are inured to actual service, they are continually liable to 
camp diseases, and are undeserving of confidence in the 
most critical moments of the campaign. Another discour- 
aging circumstance attending this mode of recruiting the 
army is, the great inequality of the bounties given to the 
soldiers at diiferent times, and the disparity in the provi; 
sion made by the several states, which occasions murmurs 
and discontent among their respective troops. It is con- 
sistency and stability that give character and efiiciency to 
an army, and this has ever been the great desideratum in 
the view of our commander-in-chief. The state of Massa- 
chusetts, in order to fill up their regiments, have offered 
a bounty of three hundred dollars, in addition to the con- 
tinental bounty of two hundred dollars, to induce men to 
enlist for three years, or during the war. 

Intelligence has been received from Savannah, Georgia, 
which city has for some time been in the possession of the 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1779. 183 

enemy, under command of General Prevost. Major-Gen- 
eral Lincoln is commander-in-chief of our army in that 
department. The Count D'Estaing had arrived there with 
a French fleet and a body of troops. With these forces, 
combined with the Americans, the two commanders, after 
having besieged the city for some time, resolved on the 
almost desperate resolution of possessing it by assault. 
The allied force consisted of between four and five thou- 
sand men. General Lincoln and Count D'Estaing led their 
respective troops to the lines of the enemy, with the most 
signal firmness and intrepidity, and faced their fire for 
about fifty-five minutes, when they were repulsed with 
considerable loss. Count D'Estaing received two slight 
wounds ; more than six hundred of his brave troops, and 
about one hundred and seventy continentals were killed 
or wounded. Count Pulaski, a brigadier-general in our 
service, at the head of two hundred horsemen, was in full 
gallop, with the intention of charging the enemy in the 
rear, when he received a mortal wound. This gentleman 
was a Polander, of distinguished rank and character; 
having viewed the American cause in a favorable light, 
he offered his services to our Congress, who appointed him 
to the rank of brigadier-general. He has by his active and 
enterprising spirit rendered essential service to our army, 
and his death is universally lamented. 

During the siege of Savannah, an event occured, sin- 
gularl}^ honorable to an enterprising individual, which 
should never be forgotten. A captain of Colonel Delany's 
battalion of refugee troops, with about one hundred Amer- 
ican royal regulars, was posted near a river twenty-five 
miles from Savannah, where were four armed Britisli ves- 
sels, manned with about forty sailors. Colonel John 
White, of the Georgia line, was desirous of the honor of 
capturing this party; his whole force, however, consisted 
of no more than six volunteers, including his own servant; 
it was only by a well-concerted stratagem, therefore, that 
he could hope for success. In the night, he kindled a 
number of fires, in different places, and exhibited, the 
appearance of a large encampment, and having arranged 
his plan, he summoned the captain to surrender, threaten- 
ing his entire destruction, by a superior force, in case of 
a refusal. Intimidated, and deceived by appearances, the 



■yQ^ MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 

captain immediately signified his readiness to eompl}' with 
the demand, and made no further defence. The Amer- 
ican captain, White, had now the satisfaction, by his pe- 
culiar address, to see the whole of the prisoners, amounting 
to one hundred and forty, divest themselves of their arms, 
and submit to himself and his six volunteers. The pris- 
oners were afterwards snfely conducted by three of the 
captors for twenty-five miles through the country, to an 
American post. During the present month, one Hessian 
lieutenant and seven Hessian soldiers, and four Bi'itish, 
deserted from the enemy at New York. The lieutenant 
pretended to desire to enter our service as a volunteer, 
but deserters are generally suspicious or worthless charac- 
ters, undeserving of attention. One of the British desert- 
ers pretended to be a prophet, but probably a disguised spy. 

January 1st, 1780. — A new year commences, but brings 
no relief to the sufferings and privations of our army. 
Our canvas covering affords but a miserable security from 
storms of rain and snow, and a great scarcity of provi- 
sions still prevails, and its effects are feit even at head- 
quarters, as appears by the following anecdote: "We 
have nothing but the rations to cook, sir," said Mrs. Thom- 
son, a very worthy Irish woman and house-keeper to Gen- 
eral AVashington. — "Well, Mrs. Thomson, you must then 
Cook the rations, for I have not a firthing to give you." — 
"H" you please, sir, let one of the gentlemen give me an 
order for six bushels of salt." — "Six bushels of salt! for 
what?" — To preserve the fresh beef, sir." One oT the aids 
gave the order, and the next day his excellency's table 
was amply provided. Mrs. Thomson was sent for, and told 
that she had done very wrong to expend her own money, 
for it was not known when she could be repaid. " I owe 
you," said his excellency, "too much already to permit 
the debt being increased, and our situation is not at this 
moment such as to induce very sanguine hope." — "Dear 
sir," said the good old lady, "it is always darkest just be- 
fore day-light, and I hope your excellency will forgive me 
for bartering the salt for other necessaries which are now 
on the table." Salt was eight dollars a bushel, and it might 
always be exchanged with the country people for articles 
of provision. 

The weather for several days has been remarkably cold 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1760. 185 

and stormy. On the Sd instant, we experienced one of 
the most tremendous snow-storms ever remembered ; no 
man coukl endure its violence many minutes without dan- 
ger of his life. Several marquees were torn asunder and 
blown down over the officers' heads in the night, and some 
of the soldiers were actually covered while in their tents, 
and buried like sheep under the snow. My comrades and 
m3'self were roused from sleep by the calls of some officers 
for assistance; their marquee had blown down, and they 
were almost smothered in the storm, before they could 
reach our marquee, only a few yards, and their blankets 
and baggage were nearly buried in the snow. We are 
greatly favored in having a supply of straw for bedding ; 
over this we spread all our blankets, and with our clothes 
and large fires at our feet, while four or five are crowded 
together, preserve ourselves from freezing. But the suf- 
ferings of the poor soldiers can scarcely be described, while 
on' duty they are unavoidably exposed to all the inclem- 
ency of storms and severe cold; at night they now have 
a bed of straw on the ground, and a single blanket to each 
man ; they are badly clad, and some are destitute of shoes. 
We have contrived a kind of stone chimney outside, and 
an opening at one end of our tents gives us the benefit of 
the fii'e within. The snow is now from four to six feet 
deep, which so obstructs the roads as to prevent our receiv- 
ing a supply of provisions. For the last ten days we have 
received but two pounds of meat a man, and we are fre- 
quently for six or eight days entirely destitute of meat, 
and then as long without bread. The consequence is, the 
soldiers are so enfeebled from hunger and cold, as to be 
almost unable to perform their military duty, or labor in 
constructing their huts. It is well known that General 
Washington experiences the greatest solicitude for the suf- 
ferings of his army, and is sensible that they in general 
conduct with heroic patience and fortitude. His excel- 
lency, it is understood, despairing of supplies from the 
commissary-general, has made application to the magis- 
trates of the state of New Jersey for assistance in procuring 
provisions. This expedient has been attended with the 
happiest success. It is honorable to the magistrates and 
people of Jersey, that they have cheerfully complied with 
the requisition, and furnished for the present an ample 
P 



186 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780 

supply, and have thus probably saved the army from 
destruction. 

As if to make up the full measure of grief and embar- 
rassment to the commander-in-chief, repeated complaints 
have been made to him that some of the soldiers are in the 
practice of pilfering and plundering the inhabitants of their 
poultry, sheep, pigs, and even their cattle, from their 
farms. This marauding practice has often been prohibited 
in general orders, under the severest penalties, and some 
exemplary punishments have been inflicted. General 
Washington possesses an inflexible firmness of purpose, 
and is determined that discipline and subordination in 
camp shall be rigidly enforced and maintained. The 
whole army has been sufficiently warned, and cautioned 
against robbing the inhabitants on any pretence whatever, 
and no soldier is subjected to punishment without a fair 
trial, and conviction by a court-martial. Death has been 
inflicted in a few instances of an atrocious nature ; but in 
general, the punishment consists in a public whipping, and 
the number of stripes is proportioned to the degree of 
offence. The law of Moses prescribes forty sti'ipes save 
one, but this number has often been exceeded in our 
camp. In aggravated cases, and with old offenders, the 
culprit is sentenced to receive one hundred lashes, or more. 
It is always the duty of the drummers and filers to inflict 
the chastisement, and the drum-major must attend and 
see that the duty is faithfully performed. /The, culprit 
being securely tied to a tree, or post, receives on his naked 
back the number of lashes assigned him, by a whip formed 
of several small knotted cords, which sometimes cut 
through the skin at every stroke. However strange it 
may appear, a soldier Avill often receive the severest 
stripes without uttering a groan, or once shrinking from 
the lash, even while the blood flows freely from his lace- 
rated wounds. This must be ascribed to stubbormiess or 
pride. They have, fiowever, adopted a method which they 
say mitigates the anguish in some measure: it is by putting 
between the ^teeth a leaden bullet, on which they chew 
while under the lash, till it is made quite flat and jagged. 
In some instances of incorrigible villains, it is adjudged 
by the court that the culprit receive his punishment at 
several different times, a certain number of stripes repeated 



MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1780. 187 

at intervals of two or three days, in which case the wounds 
are in a state of inflammation, and the skin rendered more 
sensibly tender; and the terror of the punishment is 
greatly aggravated. Another mode of punishment is that 
of running the gauntlet: this is done by a company of sol- 
diers standing in two lines, each one furnished with a 
switch, and the criminal is made to run between them 
and receive the scourge from their hands on his naked 
back; but the delinquent runs so rapidly, and the soldiers 
are so apt to favor a comrade, that it often happens in 
this way that the punishment is very trivial; but on some 
occasions, a soldier is ordered to hold a bayonet at his 
breast to impede his steps. If a non-commissioned officer 
is sentenced to corporeal punishment, he is always de- 
graded to the soldier's rank. The practice of corporeal 
punishment in an army has become a subject of animad- 
version, and both the policy and propriety of the measure 
have been called in question. It may be observed that 
the object of punishment is to exhibit examples, to deter 
others from committing crimes; that corporeal punishment 
may be made suf&ciently severe as a commutation for the 
punishment of death in ordinary cases; it is more humane, 
and by saving the life of a soldier, we prevent the loss of 
his services to the public. In justifi(5ation of the practice, 
it is alleged, also, that in the British army it has long been 
established in their military code, and it is not uncommon 
to sentence a criminal to receive a thousand lashes, and 
that they aggravate its horrors in the most cruel manner, 
by repeating the stripes from day to day, before the wounds 
are healed ; and instances are not wanting of its having 
been attended with fatal consequences. On the other 
hand, it is objected that corporeal punishment is disre- 
putable to an army; it will never reclaim the unprincipled 
villain, and it has a tendency to repress the spirit of am- 
bition and enterprise in the young soldier; and the indi- 
vidual thus ignominiously treated, can never, in case of 
promotion for meritorious services, be received with com- 
placency as a companion for other officers. These objec- 
tions will apply to most other modes of punishment, and 
it remains to be decided, which is the most eligible for 
the purpose of maintaining that subordination so indis- 
pensable in all armies. 



;^gg MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 

Notwithstanding the numerous difficulties and discour- 
agements with which our army have been compelled to 
struggle, we are happy to find that a consideraV)le propor- 
tion of those soldiers whose terms of enlistment have lately 
expired, have reenlisted during the continuance of the 
war. It may seem extraordinary that those who have 
experienced such accumulated distress and privations, 
should voluntarily engage again in the same service. But 
amid all the toils and hardships, there are charms in a 
military life: it is here that we witness heroic actions and 
deeds of military glory. The power of habit and the spirit 
of ambition, pervade the soldiers' ranks, and those who 
have been accustomed to active scenes, and formed their 
social attachments, cannot without reluctance quit the 
tumult and the bustle of a camp, for the calm and quiet 
of domestic pursuits. There is to be found, however, in 
the bosom of our soldiers the purest principles of patriot- 
ism : they glory in the noble cause of their country, and 
pride themselves in contributing to its successful termina- 
tion. It is hoped they will not again be subjected to a 
starving condition. 

11th. — A detachment, consisting of about two thousand 
five hundred men, under the command of Major-General 
Lord Stirling, was a?-'few days since sent off in about five 
hundred sleighs on a secret expedition. The sleighs were 
procured, and preparations made, under the pretence of 
going into the country after provisions. It is now ascer- 
tained that the object of the expedition was to attack the 
enemy in their works on Staten Island, by surprise. Our 
party passed over on the ice from Elizabethtown in the 
night, but the enemy having received intelligence of their 
design, retired into their strong works for safety, and the 
object of the enterprise was unfortunately defeated; they, 
however, brought off a quantity of blankets and stores. 
The snow was three or four feet deep, and the weather 
extremely cold, and our troops continued on the island 
twenty-four hours without covering, and about five hun- 
dred were slightly frozen, and six were killed by a party 
of horse, who pursued our rear-guard. A number of 
tents, arms, and a quantity of baggage, with several casks 
of wine and spirits, were brought off, with sevnteeu 
prisoners. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 139 

21th. — A party of the enemy made an excursion from 
Staten Island in the night, surprised our picket-guard, and 
succeeded in taking off a major and forty men. Our offi- 
cers were censured for their conduct in not being sufti- 
ciently alert to guard against a surprise. We are now 
rejoicing in having a plentiful supply of provisions and 
a favorable prospect of a full supply in future. Our log 
huts are almost completed, and we promise ourselves very 
comfortable quarters for the remainder of the winter. 

A detachment of eighty men, levies and volunteers, un- 
der command of Captains Keeler and Lockwoud, marched 
to Morrissania in the night, and made an attack on Colonel 
Hatfield. The colonel and his men took to the chambers, 
and fired out of the windows and down stairs at those who 
entered the house. Our party found it almost impossible 
to dislodge them till they set fire to the house by putting 
a straw bed into a closet while in blaze, which compelled 
them to jump out at the chamber-windows to avoid the 
flames. Colonel Hatfield, one captain, one lieutenant, and 
one quarter-master, and eleven private soldiers were taken 
and brought off. 

We are just informed that on the first of this month 
about two hundred soldiers of the Massachusetts line, who 
were stationed at West Point, pretending that their term 
of enlistment had expired, marched off with the intention 
cff going home. A party of troops were despatched after 
tiem, and they were brought back. Several soldiers from 
other posts followed their example. The subject being 
investigated by the proper officers, it was found that many 
of them had several months to serve: some of these were 
punished, and the remainder returned to their duty. 
Those whose term had actually expired were discharged. 
During the present month a considerable number of 
deserters, both British and Hessians, have come from 
the enemy. 

February. — Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson had the com- 
mand of about two hundred and fifty men, as an advanced 
party, on our lines. He was instructed to be constantly 
alert and in motion, that the enemy might not be able to 
take advantage, and form a plan lor his destruction. It 
happened, however, that a detachment of British, Hessians, 
and mounted refugees, were discovered advancing towards 



190 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1780. 

him, but on account of a very deep snow obstructing the 
road, they marched slowl}-, and Colonel Thompson re- 
solved to defend his ground. The enemy's horse first 
advanced, and commenced skirmishing till their infantry 
appvoached, when a sharp conflict ensued, which continued 
about fifteen minutes; some of our troops manifested 
symj^toms of cowardice, and gave way. The enemy se- 
cured the advantage, and rushed on with a general shout, 
which soon decided the contest. The Americans lost 
thirteen men killed, and Captain Roberts, being mortally 
wounded, soon expired; seventeen others were wounded. 
Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson and six other officers, with 
with eighty-nine rank and file, were made prisoners. Of 
the enemy, two officers and eighteen men were wounded, 
and five men killed. One of our men, by the name of 
Mayhew, of Massachusetts, was pursued by two of the 
enemy's horse, the snow being almost up to his hips: they 
gained fast on him ; he inquired if they w^ould give him 
quarter; they replied, "Yes, you dog! we will quarter 
you," and this was again repeated. Maji^ew, in despair, 
resolving to give them a shot before he submitted to his 
fate, turned and fired at the first horseman, who cried out, 
"The rascal has broken my leg!" when both of them 
wheeled round and rode off, leaving Mayhew to rejoice at 
his fortunate escape. 

14^A.' — Having continued to this late season in our tents, 
experiencing the greatest inconvenience, we have now the 
satisfaction of taking possession of the log huts, just com- 
pleted by our soldiers, where we shall have more com- 
fortable accommodations. Major Trescott, Lieutenant 
Williams, our pay-master, and m3'Self, occupy a hut with 
one room, furnished with our lodging cabins, and crowded 
with our baggage. 

2{}th. — Two soldiers were brought to the gallows for the 
crime of robbery. One of them was pardoned under the 
gallows, and the other executed. The poor criminal was 
so dreadfully tortured by the horror of an untimely death, 
that he was scarcely able to sustain himself, and the scene 
excited the compassion of every spectator. It is hoped 
that this example will make such an impression as to 
deter others from committing similar crimes. 

JJurch. — The present winter is the most severe and dis- 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1780. 191 

tressing which we have ever experienced. An immense 
body of snow remains on the ground. Our soldiers are 
in a wretched condition for the want of clothes, blankets 
and shoes; and these calamitous circumstances are accom- 
panied by a want of provisions. It has several times 
happened that the troops were reduced to one-half, or to 
one-quarter allowance, and some days have passed without 
any meat or bread being delivered out. .The causes as- 
signed for these extraordinary deficiencies, are the very 
low state of the public finances, in consequence of the 
rapid depreciation of the continental currency, and some 
irregularity in the commissary's department. Our soldiers, 
in general, support their sufferings with commendable 
firmness, but it is feared that their patience will be ex- 
hausted, and very serious consequences ensue. 

April. — A party of our troops being stationed on the 
line, under the command of Major Boyles, of the Penn- 
sylvania line, was unfortunately surprised by the enemy 
in the night. The major defended himself in a house till 
he was mortally wounded, when he and his guard surren- 
dered. The enemy set fire to several houses, and carried 
off abotit fifty of our men, and five or six officers, among 
whom is Ensign Thacher, of our regiment. The militia 
pursued, and retook a number of horses and a quantity 
of valuable goods, which they had plundered from the 
inhabitants. 

19^A.' — The Chevalier de la Luzerne, minister of France, 
with another French gentleman, and Don Juan de Miralles, 
a gentleman of distinction from Spain, arrived at head- 
quarters, from Philadelphia, in company with his Excel- 
lency General .Washington. Major Trescott was ordered 
out with two hundred men, to meet and escort them to 
head-quarters, where two battalions were paraded to re- 
ceive them with the usual military honors. Several of 
our general officers rode about five miles to meet the gen- 
tlemen, and their arrival was announced by the discharge 
of thirteen cannon. The foreign gentlemen and their 
suites, having left their carriages, were mounted on ele- 
gant horses, which, with General Washington, the general 
officers of our army, with their aids and servants, formed 
a most splendid cavalcade, which attracted the attention 
of a vast concourse of spectators. General Washington 



^92 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 

accompanied his illustrious visitors to take a distant view 
of the enemy's position and works, on York and Staten 
Island, and of the different posts of our army, while prepar- 
ations were making for a grand field review of our troops. 

2^th. — A field of parade being prepared under the direc- 
tion of the Baron SteubeUj four battalions of our army 
were presented for review, by the French minister, attended 
by his excellency and our general officers. Thirteen can- 
non, as usual, announced their arrival in the field, and they 
received from the officers and soldiers the military honors 
due to their exalted rank. A large stage was erected in 
the field, which was crowded by officers, ladies, and gen- 
tlemen of distinction from the country, among whom were 
Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, and his lady. Our 
troops exhibited a truly military appearance, and per- 
formed the manoeuvres and evolutions in a manner which 
afforded much satisfaction to our commander-in-chief, and 
they were honored with the approbation of the French 
minister, and by all present. After the gentlemen had 
received the standing salute in review, they dismounted 
and retired to the stage with the ladies, and the troops 
performed several evolutions, and paid the marching 
salute as they passed the stage. The minister of France 
was highly gratified, and expressed to General Washington 
his admiration at the precision of their movements, and 
the exactness of their fires, as well as the spirit and alac- 
rity which seemed to pervade all ranks in the army. In 
the evening. General Washington and the French minister 
attended a ball, provided by our principal officers, at which 
were present a numerous collection of ladies and gentlemen 
of distinguished character. Fire-works were also exhib- 
ited by the officers of the artillery. It is much regretted 
that M. de Miralles is confined at head-quarters by indis- 
position. On the 25th, the whole army was paraded under 
arms, to afford M. de la Luzerne another opportunity of 
reviewing the troops; after which, he was escorted part 
of the way to Philadelphia. The, Spanish gentleman re- 
mained dangerously sick of a pulmonic fever at head- 
quarters, and on the 28th he expired. 

2^th. — I accompanied Doctor Schuyler to head-quarters, 
to attend the funeral of M. de Miralles. The deceased 
was a gentleman of high rank in Spain, and had been 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 193 

about one year a resident with our Congress, from the 
Spanish court. The corpse was dressed in rich state, and 
exposed to public view, as is customary in Europe. The 
coffin was most splendid and stately, lined throughout 
with fine cambric, and covered on the outside Avith rich 
black velvet, and ornamented in a superb manner. The 
top of the coffin was removed, to display the pomp and 
grandeur with which the body was decorated. It was in 
a splendid full dress, consisting of a scarlet suit, embroid- 
ered with rich gold-lace, a three-cornered gold-laced hat, 
and a genteel cued wig, white silk stockings, large diamond 
shoe and knee-buckles, a profusion of diamond rings dec- 
orated the fingers, and from a superb gold watch set with 
diamonds, several rich seals were suspended. His Excel- 
lency General Washington, with several other general 
officers and members of Congress, attended the funeral 
solemnities, and walked as chief mourners. The other 
officers of the army, and numerous respectable citizens, 
formed a splendid procession, extending about one mile. 
The pall-bearers were six field officers, and the coffin was 
borne on the shoulders of four officers of the artillery in 
full uniform. Minute-guns were fired during the proces- 
sion, which greatly increased the solemnity of the occa- 
sion. A Spanish priest performed service at the grave, 
in the Roman Catholic form. The coffin was inclosed in 
a box of plank, and all the profusion of pomp and grand- 
eur were deposited in the silent grave, in the common 
burying-ground, near the church at Morristown. A guard 
is placed at the grave, lest our soldiers should be tempted 
to dig for hidden treasure. It is understood that the 
corpse is to be removed to Philadelphia. This gentleman 
is said to have been in possession of an immense fortune, 
and has left to his three daughters in Spain one hundred 
thousand pounds sterling each. Here we behold the end 
of all earthly riches, pomp, and dignity. The ashes of 
Don Miralles mingle with the remains of those who are 
clothed in humble shrouds, and whose career in life was 
marked with sordid poverty and wretchedness. 

Alay. — The officers of our army have long been dissat- 
isfied with their situation, conceiving that we are devoting 
our lives to the public service without an adequate remu- 
neration. Our sacrifices are incalculably great, and far 



IQ^ MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

exceed the bounds of duty, which the public can of right 
claim from any one class of men. Our wages are not 
punctually paid, we are frequently five or six months in 
arrears, and the continental money which we receive is 
depreciated to the lowest ebb. Congress have established 
a scale of depreciation, by which the continental bills are 
valued at forty for one of silver, and at this rate they have 
resolved that all their bills shall be called in and a new 
emission shall be issued, and received at the rate of one 
for forty of the old emission. But the public confidence 
in paper money is greatly diminished, and it is with ex- 
treme difficulty that proper supplies can be procured to 
serve the pressing exigencies of our army. I have just 
seen in the newspaper an advertisement offering for an 
article forty dollars a pound, or three shillings in silver. 
This IS the trash which is tendered to requite us for our 
sacrifices, for our sufferings and privations, while in the 
service of our country. It is but a sordid pittance even 
for our common purposes while in camp, but those who 
have families dependent on them at home, are reduced to 
a deplorable condition. In consequence of this state of 
things, a considerable number of officers have been com- 
pelled to resign their commissions. His Excellency Gen- 
eral Washington, is perplexed with an apprehension that 
he shall lose many of his most experienced and valuable 
officers; and knowing the injustice which they suffer, he 
has taken a warm interest in their cause, and repeatedly 
represented to Congress the absolute necessity of making 
such provision as will encourage the officers to continue 
in service to the end of the war. This subject he has 
pressed with such earnestness and solicitude, as at length 
to effect the desired purpose. Congress have resolved that 
all officers of the line of the army who shall continue in 
service till the close of the war, shall be entitled to half- 
pay during Z//e, and the depreciation of their pay shall be 
made good; and also that they shall receive a number of 
acres of land, in proportion to their rank, at the close of 
the war. This measure meets the approbation, and is 
satisfactory to those who are to be entitled to the pro- 
vision; but it includes the officers of the line of the army 
onl}^; it is not extended to the medical staff', and they con- 
sider themselves pointedly neglected. Why are the officers 



MILITARY JOURNAL, ITSO. 195 

of the line allowed this exclusive act of justice — a com- 
pensation for the depreciation of the currency? If it is 
just for the line, what reasons can be assigned why the 
staff-officers should not be included, when the depreciation 
is known to be common to both? Equal justice should 
be the motto of every government. The officers on the 
staff" have a right to think themselves treated with the 
most flagrant injustice. 

A committee have arrived in camp from Congress, for 
the purpose of investigating the circumstances and condi- 
tion of the army, and of redressing our grievances, if in 
their power. The regimental surgeons and mates have 
convened, and chosen a committee of three, to wait on the 
committee of Congress, and to present for their consid- 
eration our complaints and grievances, and to inquire 
whether we are to be included in the resolve making pro- 
vision for regimental officers, and entitled to the emolu- 
ments granted to the line of the army? The committee 
replied, that they could not give a decisive answer, that 
the subject of our complaints did not come under their 
cognizance, but that they would make the proper repre- 
sentation to Congress. 

Our brigade was paraded for inspection and review by 
Baron Steuben, in the presence of his Excellency General 
Washington. The troops appeared to much advantage, 
and the officers received the thanks of the baron for the 
military and soldierly appearance of the men. 

lO^A. — Dined with Colonel Jackson, who entertained a 
party of gentlemen. Our table was not ornamented with 
numerous covers, our fare was frugal, but decent. Colonel 
Jackson possesses a liberal and generous spirit, and enter- 
tains his friends in the kindest manner. We sat at table 
till evening, enjoying the conversation of the learned 
^»^ Doctor Shippin, director-general of the hospital depart- 
ment, accompanied by Colonel Proctor and Major Eustis. 
The Marquis de la Fayette has just arrived at head-quar- 
ters, lately from France. The safe return of this respect- 
able personage is matter of joy and congratulation. 

26^/i. — Eleven soldiers are condemned to suffer death 
for various crimes, three of whom are sentenced to be 
shot; the whole number were prepared for execution this 
day, but pardons were granted by the commander-in-chief 



IQQ MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 

to those who were to have been shot, and the seven others, 
while under the gallows. This was a most solemn and 
affecting scene, capable of torturing the feelings even of 
the most callous breast. The wretched criminals were 
brought in carts to the place of execution. Mr. Rogers, 
the chaplain, attended them to the gallows, addressed them 
in a very pathetic manner, impressing on their minds the 
heinousness of their crimes, the justice of their sentence, 
and the high importance of a preparation for death. The 
criminals were »placed side by side, on the scaffold, with 
halters round their necks, their coffins before their eyes, 
their graves open to their view, and thousands of specta- 
tors bemoaning their awful doom. The moment ap- 
proaches when every eye is fixed in expectation of beholding 
the agonies of death — the eyes of the victims are already 
closed from the light of this world. At this awful moment, 
while their fervent prayers are ascending to Heaven, an 
oflEicer comes forward and reads a reprieve for seven of 
them, by the commander-in-chief The trembling crimi- 
nals are now divested of the habiliments of death, and their 
bleeding hearts leap for joy. How exquisitely rapturous 
must be the transition when snatched from the agonizing 
horrors of a cruel death, and mercifully restored to the 
enjoyment of a life that had been forfeited! No pen can 
describe the emotions which must have agitated their 
souls. They were scarcely able to remove from the scaf- 
fold without assistance. The chaplain reminded them of 
the gratitude they owed the commander-in-chief for his 
clemency towards them, and that the only return in their 
power to make, was a life devoted to the faithful discharge 
of their duty. The criminal who was executed had been 
guilty of forging a number of discharges, by which he and 
more than a hundred soldiers had left the army. He ap- 
peared to be penitent, and behaved with uncommon forti- 
tude and resolution. He addressed the soldiers, desired 
them to be faithful to their country and obedient to their 
officers, and advised the officers to be punctual in all their 
engagements to the soldiers, and give them no cause to 
desert. He examined the halter, and told the hangman 
the knot was not made right, and that the rope was not 
strong enough, as he was a heavy man. Having adjusted 
the knot and fixed it round his own neck, he was swung 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1780. I97 

off instantly. The rope broke, and he fell to the ground, 
by which he was very much bruised. He calmly reas- 
cended the ladder, and said, "I told you the rope was not 
strong enough: do get a stronger one." Another being 
procured, he was launched into eternity. 

29^/;. — Four battalions of our troops were paraded for 
review by the committee of Congress, in the presence of 
General Washington; they were duly honored with the 
military salute. 

We are again visited with the calamity of which we have 
so often complained, a great scarcity of provisions of every 
kind. Our poor soldiers are reduced to the very verge of 
famine; their patience is exhausted by complicated suf- 
ferings, and their spirits are almost broken. It is with 
extreme pain that we perceive in the ranks of the soldiers 
a sensible diminution of that enthusiastic patriotism, and 
that ardent attachment to our cause, by which they were 
formerly distinguished. Much praise is due to the officers 
of every grade, who make all possible exertions to encour- 
age, to satisfy and to soothe the desponding spirits of the 
soldiery. Under the most trying circumstances, however, 
both officers and soldiers retain their full confidence in the 
wisdom and goodness of our illustrious commander-in- 
chief, whom they almost adore, looking up to him as 
children to an affectionate father, participating in the 
same sufferings. Another source of dissatisfiiction is the 
great inequality subsisting among the soldiers respecting 
their pecuniary compensation. Those who enlisted at an 
early period, for a small bounty, now find in the ranks 
with themselves others who have recently enlisted for a 
bounty of more than ten times the nominal value. This, 
as may be supposed, excites the most poignant chagrin 
and disgust, and, with other causes of discontent, has pro- 
duced a considerable degree of relaxation in discipline, 
and an unusual number of desertions from our ranks. 
An event still more alarming occurred on the 25th instant. 
Two regiments of the Connecticut line took the liberty to 
parade without their officers, and in the spirit of mutiny, 
resolved to march into the country to relieve themselves 
from present difiicuities, and to furnish themselves with 
provisions at all hazards. Colonel Meigs, in attempting 
to restore order, received a blow from one of the muti- 



198 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 

neers. A brigade of Pennsylvanians was ordered to arrest 
their progress. The leaders were secured, and the two 
regiments were returned to their duty. Their complaints 
are, that they have too long served the public without any 
present, or prospect of future recompense; that their suf- 
ferings are insupportable, that their pay is five months in 
arrear, and that it is of no value when received. These 
circumstances are known to be substantially true, and in 
justice they ought, and undoubtedly will, be admitted in 
extenuation of the crime which they have committed. It 
is nevertheless indispensably important that every symp- 
tom of insubordination should be crushed as soon as dis- 
covered, lest the example become contagious, and involve 
the whole army in ruin. 

June. — In consequence of some movements of the en- 
emy, our brigade was ordered to Chatham. A party of 
the enemy, about five thousand strong, came out of New 
York on the 7th instant, to a place called Connecticut 
Farms, where they burned a few houses and plundered 
the inhabitants; but being opposed by General Maxwell's 
brigade of Jersey troops, and the militia, who turned out 
with spirit, they soon retreated to Elizabethtown Point 
with some loss, and were pursued by our troops. In this 
little skirmish, the British General Stirling received a 
wound which it is supposed will prove mortal. A num- 
ber of other officers and soldiers, on the side of the British, 
were killed and wounded, and twenty prisoners taken by 
our militia. Our loss does not exceed ten or twelve 
killed, and twenty or thirty wounded. 

Among the horrid and barbarous deeds of the enemy, 
one has just been perpetrated, which will be an everlast- 
ing stigma on the British character. In the vicinity of 
the Counecticut Farms, state of New Jersey, resided the 
Rev. James Caldwell, a Presbyterian minister. This gen- 
tleman had uniformly taken an active part with his parish- 
ioners on the side of the Americans, in consequence of 
which he was marked for British vengeance. On the 
approach of the enemy, he retired into the country, leav- 
ing his lady with the care of the family, supposing that 
th e customary respect for the female character would be 
a pledge for her safety. Mrs. Caldwell, soon after tlie 
ap})ruach of the royal troops to the house, and a young 



MILITAKY JODENAL, 17S0. 199 

woman, having Mrs. Caldwell's infant in her arms, seated 
themselves on the bed, when a British soldier came to the 
house, and putting his gun to the window of the room, 
shot ber through the breast, and she instantly expired. 
Soon after, an officer with two Hessian soldiers came and 
ordered a hole to be dug, the body to be thrown in, and 
the house to be set on fire. Thus was murdered an amia- 
ble and excellent lady, and the worthy husband left with 
nine children, destitute of even a change of clothes, or 
any thing to render them comfortable. The house and 
every article belonging to this respectable family were 
consumed, together with the church and thirteen dwelling- 
houses. The British, duiing their excursion, took the 
opportunity of distributing a number of hand-bills, con- 
taining a pompous account of the capture of Charleston, 
South Carolina, b}^ Sir Henry Clinton, with the garrison, 
commanded by Major-General Lincoln. This unfortunate 
event is now confirmed by Generals Arnold and Wayne, 
who have just arrived from Philadelphia. General Lin- 
coln was posted in the town of Charleston, with a force 
consisting of between two and three th(jusand men, includ- 
ing nnlitia and seamen. General Clintcm, invested the 
town with a powerful fleet and an army of thirteen thou- 
sand strong. He proceeded with regular approaches, till 
he advanced within twenty-five yards of the American 
lines, and repeatedly demanded the surrender of the gar- 
rison. Through the very judicious management of Genei'al 
Lincoln, the siege was protracted fi'om the 18th of April 
to the 12th of May; and during fitteen days of tliis tune 
his troops were reduced to an allowance of six ounces of 
pork a man, and for the last six days to one and a half- 
pint of rice and three ounces of sugar a day. General 
LincoUi had to consult the interest and opinions of the 
inhabitants, which greatly increased his embarrassments. 
At length the lines of defence being almost entirely de- 
molished, by an incessant bombardment and cannonade, 
the besieged were reduced to the last extremity; and being 
in hourlv expectation of an assault, it was agreed between 
General Lincoln and the principal inhabitants that the town 
and garrison should be surrendered by capitulation. Gen- 
eral Lincoln, in this most important transaction of his life, 
n)ani Tested a cool intrepidity, a zealous perseverance, and 



200 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 

a presence of mind wliicli proclaim him preeminently 
qualified to encounter the extreme difficulties and dangers, 
in which he was involved; and the terms of surrender 
were as honorable as could have been expected. 

loth. — Major Lee, from Virginia, has just arrived in 
camp, with a beautiful corps of light-horse, the men in 
complete uniform, and the horses very elegant and finely 
disciplined. Major Lee is said to be a man of great spirit 
and enterprise, and much important service is expected 
from him. By a gentleman just from New York, we are 
informed that General Stirling died a few da^'S ago of the 
wounds which he received in the skirmish with our troops 
on the 7th instant. 

l^th. — A soldier of the Jersey line was hanged for at- 
tempting to desert to the enemy. This is one of those 
hardened villains who were pardoned under the gallows 
about three weeks since. 

ly^A. — Four emissaries from the enemy, were found 
concealed in a barn, belonging to a tory, in the vicinity 
of our lines ; one of them, their leader, refused to surren- 
der, and was killed on the spot. The other three were 
tried by court-martial, and being convicted as spies, were 
sentenced to be hanged. These unfortunate young men 
came to the gallows overwhelmed with the horrors of 
death. Their whole frames were thrown into a tremor, 
and they were tortured at the sight of the gallows and hal- 
ters. They had flattered themselves that mercy would be 
extended to them, and that they would either be pardoned, 
or their lives be prolonged for a few days; but when they 
found that the executioner was about to perlbrm his office, 
their moarnful cries and lamentations were distressing be- 
yond description. It has some where been noted, that a 
girl walked seven miles, in a torrent of rain, to see a man 
hanged, and returned in tears, because the criminal was 
reprieved; on the present occasion, a heart so full of de- 
pravity might have enjoyed an indulgence even to satiety. 

The enemy in New York are reported to be in motion, 
and we shall probably very soon be called to engage in 
battle. General orders are issued for the whole army to 
be in readiness to march at a moment's warning. At six 
o'clock in the morning of the 23d, the alarm guns were 
fired, and the drums throughout our camp beat to arms, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 201 

announcing the approach of the enemy; the whole army 
is instantly in motion, the scene to my contemplation is 
awfully sublime, yet animation and composure seem to 
pervade every countenance. The present hour is undoubt- 
edly pregnant with death and carnage; every arm is 
nerved for defence, and every heart, it is presumed, fortified 
to abide its destiny. Soon after the alarm, our advanced 
party, consisting of General Maxwell's brigade and a few 
militia, discovered the enemy advancing towards the vil- 
lage of Springfield. A close engagement with the enemy's 
advance immediately ensued ; but being pressed by four 
times our number. General Maxwell, after an obstinate 
resistance, was obliged to retreat, till a reinforcement could 
arrive. Our brigade, commanded by General Stark, soon 
joined Maxwell, on the high ground near the village of 
Springfield. Colonel Angel's regiment, of Ehode Island, 
with several small parties, were posted at a bridge over 
which the enemy were to pass, and their whole force, of 
five or six thousand men, was actually held in check by 
these brave soldiers for more than forty minutes, amidst 
the severest firing of cannon and musketry. The enemv, 
however, with their superior force, advanced into the vil- 
lage, and wantonly set fire to the buildings. We had the 
mortification of beholding the church, and twenty or thirty 
dwelling-houses and other buildings, in a blaze, and they 
were soon consumed to ashes. Having thus completed their 
great enterprise, and acquired to themselves the honor of 
burning a village, they made a precipitate retreat to Eliza- 
beth Point, and the ensuing night crossed over to Staten 
Island. Our brigade was ordered to pursue the retreating 
enemy, but we could not overtake them; we discovered 
several fresh graves, and found fifteen dead bodies, which 
they left in the field, and which we buried. We were 
informed by the inhabitants, that they carried off eight or 
ten wagon-loads of dead and wounded. Our militia took 
fifteen prisoners. General Knyphausen was the com- 
mander, and his force consisted of five or six thousand 
men; the particular object of the expedition is not ascer- 
tained; if it was to force their way to Morristown, to 
destroy our magazines and stores, they were disappointed; 
if to burn the village of Springfield, they are welcome to 
the honor of the exploit. Our troops were commanded 



202 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 

by Major-General Greene; not more than one thousand 
were brought into action at any one time ; their conduct 
was marked with the commendable coolness and intre- 
pidity of veteran troops. Colonel Angel's regiment, in a 
special manner, acquired immortal honor, by its unexam- 
pled bravery. In the heat of the action, some soldiers 
brought to me in a blanket Captain-Lieutenant Thompson 
of the artillery, who had received a most formidable wound, 
a cannon-ball having passed through both his thighs near 
the knee-joint. With painful anxiety, the poor man in- 
quired if I would amputate both his thighs. Sparing his 
feelings, I evaded his inquiry, and directed him to be 
carried to the hospital tent in the rear, where he would 
receive the attention of the surgeons. "All that a man 
hath will he give for his life." He expired in a few hours. 
While advancing against the enemy, my attention was 
directed to a wounded soldier in the field. I dismounted, 
and left my horse at a rail-fence. It was not long before 
a cannon-ball shattered a rail within a few feet of my 
horse, and some soldiers were sent to take charge of the 
wounded man, and to tell me it was time to retire. I now 
perceived that our party had retreated, and our regiment 
had passed me. I immediately mounted, and applied 
spurs to my horse, that I might gain the front of our 
regiment. Colonel Jackson being in the rear, smiled as 
I passed him; but as my duty did not require my expo- 
sure, I felt at liberty to seek a place of safet3\ It may 
be considered a singular circumstance, that the soldier 
above mentioned was wounded by the wind of a cannon- 
ball. His arm was fractured above the elbow, without 
the smallest perceptible injury to his clothes, or contusion 
or discoloration of the skin. He made no complaint, but 
I observed he was feeble and a little confused in his mind. 
He received proper attention, but expired the next day. 
The idea of injury by the wind of a ball, I learn, is not 
new — instances of the kind have, it is said, occurred in 
naval battles, and are almost constantly attended with 
fatal effects. 

Our troops in camp are in general healthy, but we are 
troubled with many perplexing instances of indisposition, 
occasioned by absence from home, called by Dr. Cullen 
nostalgia^ or home-sickness. This complaint is frequent 




OEJVER^L ^■fATHAJ\riEL GREEJ^E. P. 202. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 203 

among the militia and recruits from New England. They 
become dull and melancholy, with loss of appetite, restless 
nights, and great weakness. In some instances they be- 
come so hypochondriacal as to be proper subjects for the 
hospital. This disease is in many instances cured by the 
raillery of the old soldiers, but is generally suspended by 
a constant and active engagement of the mind, as by the 
drill exercise, camp discipline, and by uncommon anxiety, 
occasioned by the prospect of a battle. 

Juhj. — Our brigade marched from Short hills on the 
2oth of June, and arrived at Prackanes, Jersey, the 1st 
of July. I rode with Dr. Tenney and Captain Hughes 
about five miles, to take a vievv of the Passaic falls, called 
by some Totowa falls, which are represented as a great 
natural curiosity. The Passaic river runs over large 
rocky mountains covered with fir-trees. At this place an 
immense body of rock would totally interrupt its passage, 
had it not been by some stupendous power rent in several 
places from top to bottom, forming huge clefts, some of 
\\ liich are twenty or tliirty feet wide, others not more than 
two or three, and from fifty to seventy feet deep. The 
depth of one of them, it is said, has never been ascertained. 
It is here that the whole torrent of the river falls perpen- 
dicularW, with amazing violence and rapidity, down a 
rocky precipice of seventy feet, with a tremendous roar 
and foaming. But being interrupted in its course, by 
craggy rocks, it turns abruptly to the right, and again to 
the left, and falling into huge cavities below, the whole 
torrent vanishes from our sight; but stepping to another 
precipice a few yards distant, we behold the same torrent 
emerging from its subterraneous course, and rushing into 
a large basin, or cavern, formed in the rock. This basin 
contains forty fathoms of water, and is never full, but its 
rocky walls on all sides ascend sixty feet above the surface 
of the water. Such is the astonishing depth of this re- 
ceptacle, that the water neither foams nor forms whirlpools 
by the rushing current, but is calm and undisturbed. 
From this basin the water rushes through its outlet, reas- 
sumes the form of a river, and in majestic silence pursues 
its course towards the sea. 

In the afternoon we were invited to visit another curi- 
osity in the neighborhood. This is a monster in the humaii 



204 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1760. 

form. He is twenty-seven years of age ; his face, from the 
upper part of his forehead to the end of his chin, measures 
twenty inches, and round the upper part of his head is 
twenty-one inches; his eyes and nose are remarkably 
large and prominent, chin long and pointed. His features 
are coarse, irregular, and disgusting, andhis voice is rough 
and sonorous. His body is only twenty-seven inches in 
length, his limbs are small and much deformed, and he 
has the use of one hand only. He has never been able to 
stand or sit up, as he cannot support the enormous weight 
of his head; but lies constantly in a large cradle, with his 
head supported on pillows. He is visited by great num- 
bers of people, and is peculiarly fond of the company of 
clergymen, always inquiring for them among his visitors, 
and taking great pleasure in receiving religious instruc- 
tion. General Washington made him a visit, and asked, 
"whether he was a whig or tory?" He replied, that "he 
had never taken an active part on either side." 

bth. — I took an excursion a few miles into the country, 
to visit the surgeons of the flying hospital; took tea at 
their quarters, with a wealthy Dutch family, and was 
treated with great civility. They live in a style superior 
to the Low Dutch in general; the table was amply fur- 
nished with cherries, raspberries and other fruits, which 
abound in this country. 

IQth. — The officers of our regiment and those of Colonel 
Webb's united in providing an entertainment, and invited 
a respectable number of gentlemen of our brigade to dine; 
Dr. West and myself were appointed caterers and super- 
intendents. We erected a large arbor, with the boughs 
of trees, under which we enjoyed an elegant dinner, and 
spent the afternoon in social glee, with some of the wine 
which was taken from the enemy when they retreated 
from Elizabethtown. Our drums and fifes afforded us a 
favorite music till evening, when we were delighted with 
the song composed by Mr. Hopkinson, called the '■'■Battle of 
the Kegs,^^ sung in the best style by a number of gentlemen. 
14:th. — An express has arrived at head-quarters, from 
Rhode Island, with the pleasing information of the arrival 
there of a French fleet, accompanied by an army of six 
thousand regular French troops, who are to cooperate 
with our army as allies in our cause. They are com- 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 205 

manded by Count Rochambeau, a distinguished general 
in the French service. 

20^/i. — In general orders, the commander-in-chief con- 
gratulates the army on the arrival of a large land and 
naval armament at Rhode Island, sent by his Most Chris- 
tian Majesty, to cooperate with us against the common 
enemy. The lively concern which our allies manifest for 
our safety and independence, has a claim to the affection 
of every virtuous citizen. The general with confidence 
assures the army, that the officers and men of the French 
forces come to our aid animated with a zeal founded in 
sentiment for us, as well as in duty to their prince, and 
that they will do every thing in their power to promote 
harmony and cultivate friendship ; he is equally persuaded, 
on our part, that we shall vie with them in their good 
disposition, to which we are excited by gratitude as well 
as by common interest; and that the only contention be- 
tween the two armies will be to excel each other in good 
offices, and in the display of every military virtue. This 
will be a pledge of the most solid advantage to the com- 
mon cause, and a glorious issue to the campaign. The 
commander-in-chief has recommended to the officers of 
our army to wear cockades of black and white, inter- 
mixed, as a symbol of friendship for our French allies, 
who wear white cockades. 

22c?. ^ — 'The officers of our regiment received an invitation 
to dine with Major-General Lord Stirling. We were in- 
troduced to his lordship by Colonel Jackson, and were 
received with great civility and politeness. Colonel Bid- 
die and his lady were of the guests. Our entertainment 
was sumptuous and elegant. After the covers were re- 
moved, the servants brought in pails filled with cherries 
and strawberries, which were strewed over the long table; 
with tliese, and excellent wine, accompanied by martial 
music, we regaled ourselves till evening. This gentle- 
man's proper name is William Alexander, and he is a 
native of the state of New York. He visited Scotland in 
pursuit of the tide and estate of an earldom, which he 
claimed as the rightful heir of his ancestor, who had this 
title, and a grant of Nova Scotia, anno. 1621. In this 
pursuit, he expended a large proportion of his fortune, 
but failed in obtaining an acknowledgment of his claim 



2Qg MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 

by the government; yet, by courtesy, he bears the title 
of Lord Stirling. He is considered as a brave, intelligent 
and judicious officer. In the battle on Long Island in 
August, 177H, he unfortunately fell into the hands of the 
enemy; but it occasioned no impeachment of his charac- 
ter and conduct. He posses.>^es the genuine principles of 
pati'iotism, and is strongly attached to General Washing- 
ton, lie disclosed to the commander-in-chief the intrigue 
of General Conway, when in 1777 he attempted to super- 
sede his excellency, saying in his letter, "such wicked 
duplicity of conduct, I shall always think it my duty to 
delect." In his })ersonal ji})pearance, his lordship is ven- 
emble and dignified; in hi^J deportment, gentlemanly and 
gracel'ul ; in conversation, pleasing and interesting.* He 
is said to be ambitious of the title of lordship. Being 
present at the execution of a soldier for desertion, the 
crimiiud at the gallows repetitedly cried out, "the Lord 
have mercy on me!" his lordship with warmth exclaimed, 
"I won't, you rascal, I won't have mercy on you." 

2c)0?. — Sunday I attended a sermon preached by Mr. 
Blair, chaplain of the artillery. The troops were paraded 
in the open licld, the sermon was well calculated to incul- 
cate religious principles and the moral virtues. His Ex- 
cellency General Washington, Major-Generals Greene and 
Knox, with a number of other ofiicers, were present. 

Auyust. — Orders are given for the army to be in readi- 
ness lor a movement. 

According to orders, our brigade marched from Prac- 
kanes on the 29th of July, and encamped at Paramus at 
night, fifteen miles. The men were exceedingly alfected 
with the heat and fatigue. We marched on the succeed- 
ing day at two o'clock in the morning; at this early hour, 
the drums beat the reveille, which summons us from our 
hard beds and slumbers, in haste we roll up our travel- 
ling bed iurniture, strike our tents, order them thrown 
into the wagons, mount our horses, and with a slow pace 
follow the march of our soldiers, bt-nding under the weight 
of the burden on their backs. We arrived at the North 
river and crossed the ferry, August 1st, where we found 
the whole of our main army collecting to a point. All 
the troops from West Point that can be spared, and de- 
* Ilis lordship died at Albany, January 15th, nSS.aged fifty-seven years. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 207 

tachments from different stations, have formed a junction 
in this vicinity. Two brigades have been selected iVoin 
the different regiments in the main army, to form a corps 
of light infantry, to be commanded by the Marquis de la 
Fayette. They have been reviewed by the commander- 
in-chief and other general officers, on the grand parade, 
and are pronounced to be as excellent a corps as can be 
produced in any army. The marquis is delighted with 
his command, and is at his own expense providing for 
them some extra equipments. It is understood that Gen- 
eral Clinton has despatched a part of the British fleet and 
army on an expedition against our allies, the French fleet 
and army at Khode Island. The whole of our army hav- 
ing crossed to the east side of the Hudson, it is conjectured 
that his excellency contemplates some important enterprise 
against the enemy at New York, or at least to compel 
General Clinton to recall his expedition from Rhode Isl- 
and, for his own safety. Our commander-in-chief has 
ordered that the army disencumber itself of all heavy 
baggage, which, with the women and children, are to be 
immediately sent to West Point, and that the troops have 
constantly two days' provisions cooked on hand, and hold 
themselves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. 
Such is our condition for order and regularity, 'that the 
whole army, which occupies an extent of several miles, 
can be put in motion, and take up a line of march in kss 
than one hour. The horses belonging to our baggage- 
wagons and to the artillery are constantly in harness, and 
those belonging to the officers are kept in readiness; every 
man and every horse are taught to know their place and 
their duty. Marching orders, so soon as issued, are com- 
municated to each brigade and regiment. The whole line 
of encampment resounds with martial music; all is bustle 
and activity, but free from confusion. The drums and 
fifes beating a march, the tents are instantly struck and 
thrown into wagons, the line of march commences, every 
subordinate officer and soldier follows his commander, and 
whether to rush into battle and encounter the dogs of war, 
or onl}^ to manoeuvre in the field, it is no man's business 
to know or inquire. The secret is where it ought to be, 
in the breast of him who directs our destiny, and whom 
it is our pride to obey. Such is the state and condition 



203 MILITARY JOUKXAL, 17Sm. 

of a well-regulated and disciplined army, and such only can 
attain to military fame and glory. It is now ascertained, 
August 4th, that the formidable manoBuvre of our army 
has effected the object intended. The enemy's expedition 
to Khode Island has returned to New York, in conse- 
quence probably of the alarm excited for the safety of that 
city. Orders are now repeived for our army to recross the 
Hudson to the Jersey shore. Our brigade crossed the 
ferry in the night of the 5th, and encamped in a field about 
five miles from the ferry. The crossing of the whole 
army, occupied three days and nights, during which a 
vast number of large boats and floats were continually in 
motion. On the 6th, marched to Greenbush, and on the 
7th and 8th, the whole army arrived and encamped at 
Orangetown. The light infantry, under the marquis, is 
constantly advanced three miles in front of the army. 
The fatigue and extreme heat during this march, have pro- 
duced very unfavorable effects on our troops, and they are 
now becoming sickly. Cholera-morbus, dysentery and 
remittent fevers, are the prevailing complaints, which de- 
mand all my attention. 

9th. — Dined with Baron Steuben, and spent the after- 
noon with the guests. The baron keeps a splendid table, 
and treats his visitors with polite attention. Captain 
William North, of our regiment, is one of the aids-de-camp 
of the baron, and has ingratiated himself so highly in his 
favor, that he treats him with all the affection of a son. 

A committee from Congress have again arrived in our 
camp, with the view of investigating the affairs of the 
army, to attend to complaints, and to redress grievances, 
so far as may be in their power; and they will find that 
their task and duty are not to be envied. The regimental 
surgeons and mates have deputed a committee to present 
a list of our grievances for their honors' consideration. 
We claim of Consiress the same emoluments and remu- 
neration which are promised to the oflicers of the line 
of the army. 

14^^. — Visited Dr. Cochran, our surgeon-general, at his 
quarters in the country, and thence proceeding to the light 
infantry encampment, took tea with Major Trescott and 
Captain Cushing. I accompanied a number of ofiicers to 
Dobbs' ferr}'^, where our troops are engaged in erecting a 



MILITAKV JOURNAL, 1780. 209 

block -house and batteries, to defend the passage at the 
ferry-way. The Hudson at this place is about three miles 
wide, so that no battery can prevent the enemy's shipping 
from passing up the river from New York. 

20th. — Sunday, attended a sermon preached by Mr. Enos 
Hitchcock, chaplain of General Patterson's brigade; the 
troops were assembled in the open field. Mr. Hitchcock 
is respected as a sensible and learned divine, of pure 
morals and correct principles. His patriotic zeal and 
ardent attachment to his country's freedom, induced him 
to quit his people and domestic enjoyments at Beverly, 
Massachusetts, for the turmoil and fatigue of camp. I 
dined with my friends Dr. Skinner and Major Winslow. 
We are again visited with the alarming apprehension of a 
famine; no meat has been drawn for two days past; no 
money, no rum, and no contentment among our soldiers 
— great dissatisfaction prevails. 

2bth. — The whole army in this quarter has decamped, 
the object and destination a secret; the conjectural object 
is to procure a supply of provisions and forage from the 
inhabitants between the lines, which otherwise would go 
to supply the wants of the enemy. All the sick and dis- 
abled are left in camp, and I am directed to take charge 
of those belonging to our brigade; but with this charge I 
am left entirely destitute of provisions. Feeling myself 
authorized to take a small supply from the inhabitants foi* 
immediate necessity, I required from a Dutchman four 
sheep from his farm; as he was offended and made some 
opposition, I was obliged to force them from him, giving 
a receipt, that he might recover a compensation from 
the public. 

29)th. — Our army has returned from below, with a large 
quantity of forage, and provisions of various kinds, taken 
from the disaffected inhabitants on the lines. This affords 
us an important relief, when almost in a starving condi- 
tion. A small party of the enemy was discovered near the 
lines, a slight skirmish ensued, and they soon disappeared. 

29th.- — 1 accompanied Captain W. to the village of 
Charlestown, met Major-General Schuyler and other gen- 
tlemen at a tavern, with whom we dined. Here I learned 
that a duel hi\d just been fought between Lieutenant 0. 
and Mr. P., both of Colonel Mayland's regiment of dra- 



210 MILITARY JOUENAL, 17S0. 

goons, and both of whom were yesterday on the most 
intimate terms of friendship. Mr. O. killed his antagonist 
on the spot, and received a dangerous wound in his thigh. 
When I visited him, his wound had been dressed, and I 
was astonished at the calmness and composure with which 
he related all the particulars of this melanchol}^ and mur- 
derous catastrophe, and the agonizing state of mind of his 
late friend in his dying moments. The duel originated in 
a trivial misunderstanding, which excited these close friends 
to assume the character of assassins, and to hazard life for 
life. Nor did O. discover the least sorrow or remorse of 
conscience for having sacrificed the life of a friend and 
valuable officer to the mistaken points of honor! 

SOth. — Another dreadful appeal has this day been made 
to the deadly combat on a point of honor. The parties 
were Lieutenant S. and Mr. L. a volunteer in the army; 
the latter gentleman fell, and instantly expired; bis mur- 
derer escaped uninjured. Thus have two valuable lives 
been sacrificed within two days, to what is termed princi- 
ples of honor, or rather to the vindictive spirit of malice 
and revenge. Is there no remedy for this fashionable 
folly, this awful blindness and perversion of mind, this 
barbarous and infernal practice, this foul stain on the his- 
tory of man! The following anecdote is in point: The 
practice of duelling had become alarming in the Pi'ussian 
army, and the great Frederic was desirous of checking its 
progress. Two officers of high rank had engaged to meet 
in personal combat. The king commanded that they 
should fight in his presence, and at a time and place which 
he appointed. When the parties appeared, they were 
astonished to find the whole army paraded to witness the 
combat, a gallows erected, and a halter and coffins pre- 
pared. The king now commanded that they should decide 
their fate in his presence, and that the survivor should be 
instantly hung on the gallows. The two champions were 
appalled, and glad to implore his majesty's forgiveness ; 
and this example proved an effectual remedy against duel- 
ling in the Prussian army. 

September. — Intelligence of an unpleasant and distressing 
nature, has just reached us from South Carolina. Our 
southern arm}', under the command of Mnjor-General 
Gates, has been totally defeated, in a general action with 



I 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 17S0. 211 

Lord Cornwallis, on the 19th of August. General Gates, 
as is reported, retreated with precipitation to the distance 
of eighty miles, to escape the pursuit of the enemy. This 
mortifying disaster gives a severe shock to our army, as it 
must be productive of the most important and serious con- 
sequences as it respects the welfare of the Southern states. 
In his letter to the President of Congress, General Gates 
says: "In the deepest distress and anxiety of mind, I am 
obliged to acquaint your excellency with the defeat of the 
troops under my command," The letter states that the 
continental troops displayed their usual courage and 
bravery, but at the first onset of the enemy, the whole body 
of militia became panic-struck, were completely routed, 
and ran like a torrent, bearing all before them, and leaving 
the continentals to oppose the whole force of the enemy. 
This victory was not obtained without loss on the part of 
the foe, they having upwards of five hundred men, with 
officers in proportion, killed and wounded. The whole 
number of continental officers killed, wounded and missing, 
is forty-eight. Among the killed, is Baron de Kalb, a 
major-general; while leading on the Maryland and Dela- 
ware troops, he was pierced with eleven wounds, and soon 
after expired. He was a German by birth, a brave and 
meritorious officer, a knight of the order of military merit, 
and a brigadier-general in the armies of France. He had 
served thfee years, with high reputation, in the American 
array. General Gates' command in this army is said to 
consist of three thousand, of which number were only nine 
hundred continental regulars. The royalists, under Lord 
Cornwallis, were upwards of three thousand two hundred, 
and a great part of them regular troops. This very unfor- 
tunate event has given an impression universally unfavor- 
able to the character and conduct of General Gates, as he 
has disappointed the high expectations of the public. He 
is indeed a painful example of the vicissitudes of the for- 
tune of war.; but it ought not to be expected that an officer 
should be held accountable for the strokes of fortune; nor 
for the effects of superior force or address in the enemy. 
Considering the former high character and meritorious 
services of the general, we cannot justly suspect him to 
be chargeable with any deficiency in point of integrity or 



212 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1780. 

conduct, and time and investigation must decide how far 
he has been guilty of any culpable error. 

bth. — Our army marched from Orangetown, and en- 
camped at Steenrapie, yesterday. It is mortifying that 
our stock of provisions is again exhausted; the soldiers 
have for several days drawn nothing but one pound of 
flour a man. 

8//i. — I had again the honor of dining at the table of 
Baron Steuben, in company with a number of ofhcers. 
Notwithstanding the scarcity of provisions in camp, the 
baron's table continues to be well supplied; his gener- 
osity is unbounded. 

10^/?. — We are now lamenting the loss of Brigadier- 
General Poor, who died last night of putrid fever. His 
funeral solemnities have been attended this afternoon. 
The corpse was brought this morning from Paramus, and 
left at a house about a mile from the burying-yard at 
Hackensack, whence it was attended to the place of inter- 
ment by the following procession: a regiment of light- 
infantry, in uniform, with arms reversed; four field-pieces; 
Major Lee's regiment of light-horse; General Hand and 
his brigade; the major on horseback; two chaplains; the 
horse of the deceased, with his boots and spurs suspended 
from the saddle, led by a servant; the corpse borne by 
four Serjeants, and the pall supported by six general offi- 
cers. The coffin was of mahogany, and a pair of pistols 
and two swords, crossing each other and tied with black 
crape, were placed on the top. The corpse was followed 
by the officers of the New Hampshire brigade ; the officers 
of the brigade of light-infantry, which the deceased had 
lately commanded. Other officers fell in promiscuously, 
and were followed by his Excellency General Washington, 
and other general officers. Having arrived at the bury- 
ing-yard, the troops opened to the right and left, resting 
on their arms reversed, and the procession passed to the 
grave, where a short eulogy was delivered by the Rev. 
Mr. Evans. A band of music, with a number of drums 
and fifes, played a funeral dirge, the drums were muffled 
with black crape, and the officers in the procession wore 
crape round the left arm. The regiment of light-infantry 
were in handsome uniform, and wore in their caps long 
feathers of black and red. The elegant regiment of horse, 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1780. 213 

coinmanded by Major Lee, being in complete uniform and 
well disciplined, exhibited a martial and noble appearance. 
No scene can exceed in grandeur and solemnity a military 
funeral. The weapons of war reversed, and embellished 
with the badges of mourning, the slow and regular step 
of the procession, the mournful sound of the unbraced 
drum and deep-toned instruments, playing the melancholy 
dirge, the majestic mien and solemn march of the war- 
horse, all conspire to impress the mind with emotions 
which no language can describe, and which nothing but 
the reality can paint to the liveliest imagination. General 
Poor was from the state of New Hampshire. He was a 
true patriot, who took an early part in the cause of his 
country, and during his military career was respected for 
his talents and his bravery, and beloved for the amiable 
qualities of his heart. But it is a sufficient eulogy to sa}^, 
that he enjoyed the confidence and esteem of Washington. 
ll^A. — We had a most violent shower of rain, accompa- 
nied with tremendous peals of thunder and lightning; we 
were obliged to quit our beds in the night, but no part of 
our marquee could shield us from the drenching rains — ■ 
not a blanket about us remained dry. 

12i]i. — A soldier was executed for robbery; he was one 
of live who broke into a house with their arms, and rob- 
bed the inhabitants of a sum of money and many valuable 
articles. He conducted with fortitude at the gallows. 

18^/^ — The ami}' was paraded to be reviewed by Gen- 
eral Washington, accompanied by a number of Indian 
chiefs. His excellency, mounted on his noble bay charger, 
rode in front of the line of the army, and received the 
usual salute. Six Indian chiefs followed in his train, ap- 
pearing as the most disgusting and contemptible of the 
human race; their faces painted of various colors, their 
hair twisted into bunches on the top of their heads, and 
dressed in a miserable Indian habit, some with a dirty 
blanket over the shoulders, and others almost naked. 
They were mounted on horses of the poorest kind, with 
undressed sheep skins, instead of saddles, and old ropes 
for bridles. These bipeds could not refrain from the in- 
dulgence of their appetites for rum on this occasion, and 
some of them fell from their horses on their return to head- 
quarters. This tribe of Indians is friendly to America, 



21 ]. ' MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

and it is good policy to show them some attention, and 
give them an idea of the strength of our army. 

20f//. — The army decamped from Steenrapie this morn- 
\r\<i, and encamped at Orangetown, or Tappan. His Ex- 
cellency General Washington, with the Marquis de la 
Fa3'ette and General Knox, with a splendid retinue, left 
the camp on the 17th instant, bound to Hartford in Con- 
necticut, to have an interview with the commanding offi- 
cers oi'the French fleet and army, which have lately arrived 
at Rhode Island, 

1 have just been introduced to three young clerg3'men, 
from Connecticut, Mr. Lockwood, Mr. Ely, and Mr. Joel 
Barlow; the latter is a chaplain in the Connecticut line, 
and is said to possess a poetical genius. Being present 
when he made a prayer in public, it was remarked that 
his pertbrmance was very ordinary, and it was replied that 
the gentleman had not been much accustomed to public 
performances, and that he was more calculated to attain to 
eminence in the art of poetry than in the clerical profession. 

2l6'^. — Major-General Greene succeeds to the command 
of our army, in the absence of his Excellency General 
Washington. This gentleman is a native of the state of 
Rhode Island. His father was an anchor-smith, and his 
business in that line was very extensive. He was a mem- 
ber of the Scxjiety of Friends, and when about to engage 
in a military station, they remonstrated with him, as war 
was a violation of the established principles of their sect. 
But his patriotism and ardent zeal for the cause of liberty 
were irresistible, and he was, at the age of thirty, ap- 
pointed a brigadier-general by his government in the year 
1775. After the battle of Lexington, actuated by a native 
martial ardor, he repaired to Cambridge, and, with the 
ti'oops under his command, joined the continental army 
under General Washington. General Greene has con- 
ducted in a manner to meet the expectations and full ap- 
probation of the public, and has been promoted to the 
rank of major-general. By his inilitary talents, skill and 
judgment, he has acquired a character of the highest order, 
and is held in respect and estimation throughout the army, 
as second only to the commander-in-chief It is the pre- 
vailing sentiment, that if in any event of Providence we 
should be deprived of our chief commander, General 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 215 

Greene is of all others the most suitable character to be 
his successor, and in this sentiment there is the greatest 
reason to believe that the illustrious Washington himself 
would readily coincide. 

26^/;. — At three o'clock this morning an alarm was 
spread throughout our camp. Two regiments from the 
Pennsylvania line were ordered to march immediately to 
West Point, and the whole army to be held in readiness 
to march at a moment's warning. It was soon ascertained 
that this sudden movement was in consequence of the 
discovery of one of the most extraordinary events in 
modern history, and in which the interposition of Divine 
Providence is remarkably conspicuous. It is the treach- 
erous conspiracy of Major-General Arnold, and the cap- 
ture of Major John Andre, adjutant-general to the British 
army. The army being paraded this morning, the follow- 
ing communication in the orders of General Greene was 
read by the adjutants to their respective regiments: 

•'Treason, of the blackest dye, was yesterday discovered. General 
Arnold, who commanded at West Point, lost to every sentiment of 
honor, of private and public obligation, was about to deliver up that 
important post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event must have 
given the American cause a dangerous, if not a fatal wound; happily 
the treason has been timely discovered, to prevent the fatal misfortune. 
The providential train of circumstances which led to it, affords the most 
convincing proofs that the liberties of America are theobject of Divine 
protection. At the same time that the treason is to be regretted, the 
general cannot help congratulating the army on the happy discovery. 
Our enemies, despairing of carrying their point by force, are practising 
every base art to effect by bribery and corruption what they cannot ac- 
complish in a manly way. Great honor is due to the American army, 
that this is the first instance of treason of the kind, where many were to 
be expected from the nature of our dispute; the brightest ornament in 
the character of the American soldiers is, their having been proof against 
all the arts and seductions of an insidious enemy. Arnold lias made his 
escape to the enemy, but Major Andre, the adjutant-general in the 
British army, who came out as a spy to negotiate the business, is our 
prisoner." 

West Point is situated in the midst of the highlands, 
on the west side of the Hudson, sixty miles above ISTew 
York, and seven below Fishkill. It is a strongly-fortified 
castle, which, with its dependencies, is considered by Gen- 
eral AVashington as the key which locks the communica- 
tion between the Eastern and Southern states; and of all 
the posts in the United States, this is the most importani. 

R 



21Q MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1780. 

The position is remarkably well calculated by nature for 
a defensive post, being on a bend of the river, with rocky 
ridges rising one above another, and the lofty summit is 
covered with a range of redoubts and batteries, planned 
by the most skillful engineers. The most elevated and 
formidable fortress is erected on a natural platform of 
rocks, very steep, and almost inaccessible on every side; 
this is called "Fort Putnam," from the general who had 
the principal share in its plan and construction. It over- 
looks the whole plain below, and commands a landscape- 
view thirty miles in extent, the Hudson having the 
appearance of a vast canal, cut through huge mountains. 
As additional security, an iron chain of immense strength 
is thrown across at the short bend of the river, and fixed 
to huge blocks on each shore, and under the fire of bat- 
teries on both sides the river. The links of this chain are 
about twelve inches wide, and eighteen long, the bars 
about two inches square. It is buoyed up by very large 
logs, of about sixteen feet long, pointed at the ends to 
lessen their opposition to the force of the current at flood 
and ebb tide. The logs are placed at short distances from 
each other, the chain carried over them and made fast to 
each by staples. There are also a number of anchors 
dropped at proper distances, with cables made fast to the 
chain to give it a greater stability. Such is the formida- 
ble state and strength of this post, that it has received the 
appellation of the American Gibraltar, and when properly 
guarded, may bid defiance to an army of twenty thousand 
men. General Arnold was well apprised of the great 
importance of this fortress; no position in America could 
aftbrd the British greater advantages. It commands the 
whole extent of country on the Hudson, from New York 
to Canada, and secures a communication- between the 
Eastern and Southern states. 

From the commencement of the American war. General 
Arnold has been viewed in the light of a brave and heroic 
officer, having exhibited abundant proof of his military 
ardor and invincible temper. He has fought in various 
battles, with an intrepid gallantry which cannot be ex- 
ceeded, and it is from his bravery in the field, more than 
any intrinsic merit, that his character and fame have been 
established. His meritorious services have been amply 



MILITARY JOUllNAL, 17S0. 217 

rewarded by his promotion to the rank of major-general, 
but his name will now be transmitted to posterity with 
marks of infamy, and the pages of our histor}' will be 
tarnished by the record of crimes of the most atrocious 
character by a native of our land. After the evacuation 
of Philadelphia by the British, Arnold v/as appointed to 
the command in that city, and such was his conduct, as 
respects both his official station and individual concerns, 
that his former standing and important services could no 
longer shield him from public odidm and the just censure 
of the government.* Being afterward, by his own solicit- 
ation, intrusted with the command of the post at West 
Point, he engaged in a secret correspondence with Sir 
Henry Clinton, and actually agreed to put him in posses- 
sion of this very important garrison. The British general, 
ever ready to avail himself of treachery to accomplish an 
object which he could not achieve by the strength of his 
arms, selected Major John Andre, his adjutant-general 
and aid-de-camp, to have a personal interview with the 
traitor, to mature the plan, and make arrangements for 
the surrender of the post. A British sloop-of-war, called 
the Vulture, came up the North river, and anchored near 
King's ferry, about twelve miles below West Point. On 
board of this vessel were a Colonel Robinson, and Major 
Andre, under the assumed name of John Anderson. A 
communication was now maintained between Arnold and 
the persons on board the Vulture, without exciting the 
least suspicion of treasonable designs. But a personal 
interview was found necessary, and the place chosen for 
this purpose was the beach near the house of Joshua / , 

Smith, Esquire, who has long been suspected of a pre- 
dilection for the British interest. In the night of the 21st 
instant, Smith, by the desire of Arnold, went with a boat, 
rowed by some men employed on his farm, and brought 
Major Andre, alias John Anderson, on shore, where he 
was received by Arnold, and conducted to the house of 
Smith, within our lines. Andre remained concealed at 
Smith's house till the following night, when he became 
extremely anxious to return on board the Vulture; but 
the boatmen, whom Arnold and Smith had seduced to 
bring him on shore the preceding night, could not be 
* See Life of Arnold in the Appendix. 



2lQ MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 

prevailed on to reconduct him on board, as the Yulture 
had been driven from her station by a cannon on shore. 
Finding it impossible to procure a boat and men for the 
purpose, it was resolved that Andre should return to New 
York by land, to which he reluctantly submitted, as the 
only alternative, to escape the danger into which he had 
been betrayed. For this hazardous attempt Arnold and 
Smith furnished him with a horse, and with clothee, in 
exchange for his military uniform; and Arnold gave him 
a passport under the fictitious name of John Anderson, as 
being on public business. Thus prepared, and accompa- 
nied by Smith part of the way, he proceeded on his 
journey. The passport served his purpose till he got be- 
yond all our out-posts and guards without suspicion. 
They lodged together at Crompond that night, and Smith 
having given him directions about the road, left him the 
next morning, within about thirty miles of New York. 
Having arrived at Tarrytown, however, near the lines of 
the royal army, Andre was arrested by one of three men, 
who were patrolling between the out-posts of the two 
armies. He held his horse by the bridle, till his two 
companions came from their concealment to his assistance. 
This was the moment which was to decide the fate of the 
adj utant-general of the royal army. Alarmed and discon- 
certed, instead of producing his passport, he asked where 
they belonged ? They replied, "To below," alluding to 
New York. "And so do 1," said Andre; "I am a British 
officer, on urgent business, and must not be detained." 
He was soon, however, undeceived, and confounded on 
being obliged to yield himself a prisoner, and finding his 
jmssport, though having the authority of Arnold's signa- 
ture, availed him nothing. His captors, suspecting that 
they had taken a valuable prize, resolved to hold him in 
durance, and realize his worth. The unfortunate prisoner 
now produced his gold watch, and said, "This will con- 
vince you that I am a gentleman, and if you will suffer 
me to pass, I will send to New York, and give you miy 
amount you shall name^ in cash, or in dry goods;"* and, 

* English goods were, at that time, more valuable than gold or silver. 
It has in general been understood, that Andre offered his captors his 
horse, his purse, and a valuable watch, but Dr. Eustis assures me that 
the above are the facts, as stated to him by Isaac Van Vert, who first 
stopped Andre. 




MAJOR JOUJi .iJVDRB. P. 228. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 17S0. 219 

pointing to an adjacent wood, "you may keep me in that 
wood till it shall be delivered to you." All his offers, 
however, were rejected with disdain, and they declared 
that ten thousand guineas, or any other sum, would be no 
temptation. It is to their virtue, no less glorious to America, 
than Arnold's apostacy is disgraceful, that his detestablci 
crimes are discovered. Their names are John Paulding, 
David Williams, and Isaac Van Vert.* Taking their 
prisoner into the bushes, to undergo a search and exam- 
ination, they found, concealed in his boots, the important 
papers, containing exact returns of the state of the forces, 
ordnance and defences at West Point and its dependencies, 
with critical remarks on the works, with a return of the 
number of troops at West Point, and their distribution; 
copies of confidential letters from General Washington, 
&c., &c., all in the hand-writing of General Arnold. Be- 
sides which, it is ascertained that the traitor carried with 
him to the interview a general plan of West Point and its 
vicinity, and all the works, and also particular plans of 
each work on a large scale, elegantly drawn by the engi- 
neer at that post. But these were not given up to Major 
Andre; it is supposed they were to be delivered at a 
future time. The captors now very properly delivered 
their prisoner, with the papers found on him, into the 
hands of Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, the commanding 
officer on our lines. Andre, with the view, no doubt, of 
giving Arnold an opportunity to escape, had the address 
to induce Colonel Jameson to inform the traitor, by letter, 
that John Anderson was taken on his way to New York. 
It is probable that Colonel Jameson had not examined the 
papers in his possession, or it may well be supposed that, 
having such ample evidence before him, he would have 

* (^Jongress resolved "That they have a high sense of the virtuous and 
patriotic conduct of John Paulding, David Willinms, and haac Van 
Vert, In testimony whereof, ordered, that each of tiiem receive annually, 
two hundred dollars in specie, or an equivalent in the current money of 
these states, during life, and that tiie Board of War be directed to pro- 
cure each of them a silver medal, on one side of which shall be a shield 
with this inscription, Fidelity, and on tlie other, the following motto, 
Vincit amor Patrice, and forward them to the commander-in-chief, who 
is requested to present the same with a copy of this resolution, and the 
thanks of Congress for their fidelity, and the eminent service they have 
rendered their country." 



220 MILITAEY JOUEXAL, 17 SO. 

hesitated before compljdng with this request; but, unsus- 
picious of treachery, and under the embarrassment of the 
moment, as though his mind was bewildered, or devoid of 
reason, he immediately despatched an express to Arnold, 
at Robinson's house, with the intelligence. 

After sufficient time had elapsed for Arnold to receive 
the information and make his escape. Major Andre de- 
clared himself to Colonel Jameson to be the adjutant-gen- 
eral of the British army. Sensible of the Jinesse which 
had been practised on him, Colonel Jameson now de- 
spatched an express to meet General Washington, on his 
return from Hartford to Arnold's quarters, with an account 
of the capture of Major Andre, and the papers which were 
found on him, and this was accompanied by a letter from 
the prisoner, disclosing to his excellency his real charac- 
ter and condition, and relating the manner of his capture, 
&c. It unfortunately happened that the express took a 
different road, and missed of meeting the commander-in- 
chief, and Arnold first received the information about ten 
o'clock on the morning of the "Xoth instant. At this mo- 
ment Major Shaw and Dr. McHenry, two of his excel- 
lency's aids, had arrived, and were at breakfast at Arnold's 
table. His confusion was visible, but no one could devise 
the cause. Struck with the pressing danger of his situa- 
tion, expecting General Washington would soon arrive, 
the guilty traitor called instantly tor a ^^ horse, any one, even 
if a ivagon horse'''' — bid a hasty adieu to his wife, and en- 
joined a positive order on the messenger not to inform 
that he was the bearer of a letter from Colonel Jameson, 
and having repaired to his barge, he ordered the cock- 
swain with eight oarsmen to proceed down the river, and 
he was soon on board the Vulture, which Andre had leit 
two nights before, and which immediately sailed with her 
prize for New York. General Washington arrived about 
twelve o'clock, and was informed that Arnold had ab- 
sented himself, saying he was going to West Point, and 
should soon return. His excellency passed over the river 
to view the works there; but, not finding Arnold at his 
post, he returned, in the hope of meeting him at his quar- 
ters. But here he was again disappointed, for no person 
could account for his absence. Mrs. Arnold was now in 
her chamber, in great agitation and distress, deprived of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 221 

her reason, and Dr. Eustis in attendance. At a lucid in- 
terval she inquired of the doctor if General Washington 
was in the house, desiring to see him. Believing that she 
intended to say something which would explain the secret 
of Arnold's unaccountable absence, he hastened below, 
and conducted the general to her chamber, who remained 
no longer than to hear her deny that he was General 
Washino;ton, and to witness the return of her distraction. 
His excellency sat down to dine, but soon rose from table 
with apparent agitation, called out Colonel Lamb, the 
commander of artillery at West Point, and expressed to 
him his suspicion that Arnold had deserted to the enemy. 
In less than two hours it was ascertained that the conjec- 
ture was too well founded, for the despatches arrived from 
Colonel Jameson, with an account of the capture of Major 
Andre, accompanied by his own letter of confession. Major 
Andre was conducted to West Point, and thence to head- 
quarters at,Tappan; and a board, consisting of fourteen 
general officers, is constituted and directed to sit on the 
29th instant, for his trial. It was to be expected that Sir 
Henry Clinton would make every possible overture and 
exertion, with the hope of rescuing his friend, and the 
adjutant-general of his army, from an ignominious death. 
Accordingly he addressed General Washington, claimed 
the release of Major Andre, alleging that he ought not to 
be considered in the character of a spy, as he had a pass- 
port from, and was transacting business under the sanction 
of General Arnold; but arguments so obviously absurd 
and futile could have no influence, and the prisoner was 
ordered before the military tribunal for trial, and the fol- 
lowing are the particulars of their proceedings. 

Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British army, was 
brought before the board, and the following letter from 
General Washington to the board, dated "Head-Quarters, 
Tappan, September 29th, 1780," was laid before them 
and read: 

"Gentlemen: .Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British army, will 
be brouglit before you, fur your examination. He came witliin our lines 
in the night, on an interview with Major-General Arnold, and in an 
assumed character; and was taken within our lines, in a disguised habit, 
with a pass under a feigned name, and with the inclosed papers con- 
cealed on him. After a careful examination, you will be pleased as 
speedily as possible to report a precise state of his case, together with 



222 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

your opinion of the light in which he ought to be considered, and the 
punishment that ought to be inflicted. The judge-advocate will attend 
to assist in the examination, who has sundry other papers relative to this 
matter, which he will lay before the board. 

"I have the honor to be, gentlemen, your 

most obedient and humble servant, 

"G. WASHINGTON. 

" To the Board cf General Officers, convened at Tappan." 

The names of the officers composing the board were 
read to Major Andre, with the following letter of his to 
General Washington — namely: 

"Salem, 24th September, 1780. 

"Sir: What I have as yet said, concerning myself, was in the justifi- 
able attempt to be extricated; I am too little accustomed to duplicity to 
have succeeded, 

"I beg your excellency will be persuaded, that no alteration in the 
temper of my mind, or appreliension fur my safety, induces me to take 
the step of addressing you, but tliat it is to secure myself from an im- 
putation of having assumed a mean character for treacherous purposes 
or self-interest — a conduct incompatible with the principles that actuated 
me, as well as with my condition in life. 

"It is to vindicate my fame, that I speak, and not to solicit security. 

"The person in your possession is Major Juhn Andre, adjutant-gen- 
eral to the British army. 

"The influence of one commander in the army of his adversary is an 
advantage taken in war. I agreed to meet, on ground not within the 
posts of either army, a person who was to give me intelligence; I came 
up in the Vulture man-of-war, for this effect, and was fetched by a boat 
from the shore to the beach: being there, I was told that the approach 
of day would prevent my return, and that I must be concealed till the 
next night. I was in my regimentals, and had fairly risked my person. 

"Against my stipulation, my intention, and without my knowledge 
beforehand, I was conducted within one of your posts. Your excel- 
lency may conceive my sensation on this occasion, and will imagine how 
much more I must have been aft'ected by a refusal to reconduct me back 
the next night, as I had been brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had 
to concert my escape. / quilted my uniform, and was passed another 
way in the night, without the American posts to neutral ground, and 
informed I was beyond all armed parties, and left to press for New 
York. I was taken at Tarrytown by siime volunteers. 

"Thus, as I have had the honor to relate, was I betrayed into the vile 
condition of an enemy in disguise within your posts. 

"Having avowed myself a British officer, I have nothing to reveal but 
what relates to myself, which is true, on the honor of an officer and a 
gentleman. 

"The request I have to make your excellency, and I am conscious I 
address myself well, is that in any rigor which policy may dictate, a 
decency of conduct towards me may evince that, though unfortunate, 1 
am branded with nothing dishonorable, as no motive could be mine but 
the service of my kuig, and as I was involuntarily an impostor. 



MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1780. 223 

"Another request is, that I mny be permitted to write an open letter 
to Sir Henry Clinton, and another to a friend tor clothes and linen. 

"I take the liberty to mention the condition of some gentlemen at 
Charleston, who, being either on parole or under protection, were en- 
gaged in a conspiracy ag.iinst us. Though their situation is not similar 
they are objects who may be set in exchange for me, or are persons 
whom the treatment I receive might affect. 

"It is no less, sir, in a confidence in the generosity of your mind, than 
on account of your superior station, that I have chosen to importune 
you with this letter. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir 
your excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, 

"JOHN ANDRE, Adjutant-General. 

" His Excellency General Washington, ijc, iS-c, iSc." 

And on being asked whether he confessed or denied the 
matters contained in this letter, he acknowledged the letter, 
and in addition stated, that he came on shore from the 
Vulture sloop-of-war in the night of the 21st of September, 
instant, somewhere under the Haverstraw mountain. That 
the boat he came on shore in, carried no fiag, and that he 
had on a surtout-coat over his regimentals, and that he 
wore his surtout-coat when he was taken. That he met 
General Arnold on the shore, and had an interview with 
him there. He also said, that when he left the Vulture 
sloop-of-war, it was understood he was to return that night ; 
but it was then doubted, and if he could not return, he was 
promised to be concealed on shore in a place of safety till 
the next nighty when he was to return in the same manner 
he came on shore; and when the next day came, he was 
solicitous to get back, and made inquiries in the course of 
the day how he should return; he was informed he could 
not return that way, and he must take the route he did 
afterwards. He also said, that the first notice he had of 
his being within any of our posts, was his being challenged 
by the sentry, which was the first night he was on shore. 
He also said, that in the evening of the 22d of September, 
instant, he passed King's ferry, between our posts of Stony 
and Verplank's Points, in the dress he is at prese7it in, and 
which he said was not his regimentals, and which dress he 
procured after he landed from the Vulture, and when he 
was within our post, and that he was proceeding to New 
York, but was arrested at Tarrytown, as he has mentioned 
in his letter, on Saturday, the 23d of September, instant, 
about nine o'clock in the morning. 

The board having interrogated Major Andre, about his 



224 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

conception of his coming on shore under the sanction of a 
flag, he said, that it was inqjossihle for him to svppose he cayne 
on shore under that sanction, and added, that if he came on 
shore under that sanction, he certainly might have re- 
turned under it. 

Major Andre having acknowledged the preceding facts, 
and being asked whether he had any thing to say re- 
specting them, answered, he left them to operate with 
the board. 

The examination of Major Andre being concluded, he 
was remanded into custod3^ 

" The board having considered the letter from his Excellency General 
Washington, respecting Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British 
army, the confession of Major Andre, and the papers produced to them, 
report to his excellency the commander-in-chief the following facts, 
which appear to them relative to Major x\ndre. First, that he came on 
shore from the Vulture sloop-of-war, in the night of the 21st of Septem- 
ber, instant, on an interview with General Arnold, in a private and secret 
manner. Secondly, that he changed his dress within our lines, and 
under a feigned name, and disguised habit, passed our works at Stony 
and VerpJank's Points, in the evening of the 'J2d of September, instant, 
and was taken the morning of the 23d of September, at Tarrytown, in 
a disguised habit, being then on his way to New York; and when taken 
he had in his possession several papers which contained intelligence for 
the enemy. The Ijoard having maturely considered these facts, do also 
report to his Excellency General Washington, that Major Andre, adju- 
tant-general to the British army, ought to be considered as a spy from 
the enemy, and that agreeably to the law and usage of nations it is their 
opinion he ought to suffer death. 

[signed] "Nathaniel Greene, AlaJ or- General and President. 
Stirling, " " 

St. Clair, " " 

La Fayette, " " 

•R. Howe, " 

Steuben, " " 

Samuel H. Parsons, Brigadier-General. 
Jaaies Clinton, " " 

Henry Knox, " " Artillery. 

John Glover, " " 

John Patterson, " " 

Edward Hand, " " 

John Huntington, " " 

John Stark, " " 

John Lawrence, Judge Advocate General" 

"Head-Quarters, September SOth, 1780. 
"The commander-in-chief approves of the opinion of the Board of 
General officers, respecting Major Andre, and orders that the execution 
of Major Andre take place to-morrow, at five o'clock P. M." 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 225 

During the trial of this unfortunate officer, he conducted 
with unexampled magnanimity and dignity of character. 
He very freely and candidly confessed all the circumstances 
relative to himself, and carefully avoided every expression 
that might have a tendency to implicate any other person. 
So firm and dignified was he in his manners, and so hon- 
orable in all his proceedings on this most trying occasion, 
that he excited universal interest in his favor. He re- 
quested only to die the death of a soldier, and not on a 
gibbet. The following is a copy of a very pathetic letter 
from Major Andre to General Washington, dated 

"Tappan, Octnber Isi, 1780. 
"Sir: Buoyed above the terrors of death by the consciousness of a 
life devoted to honorable pursuits, and stained with no action that can 
give me remorse, I trust that the request I make to your excellency at 
this serious period, and which is to soften my last moments, will not be 
rejected. Sympathy towards a soldier will surely induce your excel- 
lency and a mihtary tribunal to adapt the mode of my death to the feel- 
ings of a man of honor. Let me hope, sir, if augiit in my character 
impresses you with esteem towards me — if aught in my misfortunes 
marks me as the victim of policy, and not of resentment — I shall expe- 
rience the operation of tliese feelings in your breast by being informed 
that I am not to die on a gibbet. 

"I have the honor to be your excellency's most 

obedient and most humble servant, 
"JOHN ANDRE, 
" Adjutant- General to the British army.^'' 

This moving letter, as may be supposed, affected the 
mind of General Washington with the tenderest sympathy, 
and it is reported that he submitted it to a council of gen- 
eral officers, who decided that as Major Andre was con- 
demned as a spy, the circumstances of the case would not 
admit of the request being granted, and his excellency, 
from a desire to spare the feelings of the unfortunate man, 
declined making a reply to the letter. 

October \st. — I went this afternoon to witness the exe- 
cution of Major Andre: a large concourse of people had 
assembled, the gallows was erected, and the grave and 
coffin prepared to receive the remains of this celebrated 
but unfortunate officer; but a flag of truce arrived with a 
communication from Sir Henry Clinton, making another 
and further proposals for the release of Major Andre, in 
consequence of which the execution is postponed till to- 
morrow, at twelve o'clock. 



226 MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1780. 

The flag wliicli came out this morning brought General 
Robertson, Andrew Eliot, and William Smith, Esquires, 
lor the purpose of pleading for the release of Major Andre, 
the royal army being in the greatest affliction on the occa- 
sion. The two latter gentlemen, not being military offi- 
cers, were not permitted to land, but General Greene was 
appointed by his excellency to meet General Robertson at 
i)obbs' ferry, and to receive his communications. He had 
nothing material to urge, but that Andre had come on 
shore under the sanction of a flag, and therefore could not 
be considered as a spy. But this is not true; became on 
shore in the night, and had no flag, on business totally in- 
compatible with the nature of a flag. Besides, Andre 
himself, candidly confessed on his trial that he did not 
consider himself under the sanction of a flag. General 
Robertson, having failed in his point, requested that the 
opinion of disinterested persons might be taken, and pro- 
posed Generals Knyphausen and Rochambeau as proper 
persons. After this he had recourse to threats of retalia- 
tion on some people in New York and Charleston, but he 
was told that such conversation could neither be heard nor 
understood. He next urged the release of Andre on mo- 
tives of humanity, saying, he wished an intercourse of 
such civihties as might lessen the horrors of war, and cited 
instances of General Clinton's merciful disposition; adding 
that Andre possessed a great share of that gentleman's 
affection and esteem, and that he would be infinitely 
obliged if he was spared. He offered that, if his earnest 
wishes were complied with, to engage that any prisoner in 
their possession, whom General Washington might name, 
should immediately be set at liberty. But it must be 
viewed as the height of absurdity that General Robertson 
should, on this occasion, suffer himself to be the bearer of 
a letter which the vile traitor had the consummate effront- 
ery to write to General Washington. This insolent letter 
is filled with threats of retaliation, and the accountability 
of his excellency for the torrents of blood that might be 
spilled if he should order the execution of Major Andre. 
It should seem impossible that General Robertson could 
suppose that such insolence would receive any other treat- 
ment than utter contempt. 

October Id. — Major Andre is no more among the living. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 17S0. 227 

I have just witnessed his exit. It was a tragical scene of 
the deepest interest. During his confinement and trial, he 
exhibited those proud and elevated sensibilities which de- 
signate greatness and dignity of mind. Not a murmur or 
a sigh ever escaped him, and the civilities and attentions 
bestowed on him were politely acknowledged. Having 
left a mother and two sisters in England, he was heard to 
mention them in terms of the tenderest affection, and in 
his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recommended tliem to 
his particular attention. 

The principal guard officer, who was constantly in the 
room with the prisoner, relates that when the hour of his 
execution was announced to him m the morning, he re- 
ceived it without emotion, and while all present were 
affected with silent gloom, he retained a firm countenance, 
with calmness and composure of mind. Observing his 
servant enter the room in tears, he exclaimed, "Leave me 
till you can show yourself more manly!" His breakfast 
being sent to him from the table of General Washington, 
which had been done every day of his confinement, he 
partook of it as usual, and having shaved and dressed 
himself, he placed his hat on the table, and cheerfully said 
to the guard officers, "I am ready at any moment, gentle- 
men, to wait on you." The fatal hour having arrived, a 
large detachment of troops was paraded, and an immense 
concourse of people assembled ; almost all our general and 
field of&cers, excepting his excellency and his staff, were 
jiresent on horseback; melancholy and gloom pervaded 
all ranks, and the scene was affectingly awful. I was so 
near during the solemn march to the fatal spot, as to ob- 
serve every movement, and participate in every emotion 
which the melancholy scene was calculated to produce. 
M;ijor Andre walked from the stone house, in which he 
had been confined, between two of our subaltern officers, 
arm in arm ; the eyes of the immense multitude were fixed 
on him, who, rising superior to the fears of death, appeared 
as if conscious of the dignified deportment which he dis- 
played. He betrayed no want of fortitude, but retained a 
complacent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed 
lo several gentlemen whom he knew, which was respect- 
Cully returned. It was his earnest desire to be shot, as 
being the mode of death most conformable to the feelings 



228 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 

of a military man, and he had indulged the hope that his 
request would be granted. At the moment, therefore, 
when suddenly he came in view of the gallows, he invol- 
untarily started backward, and made a pause. "Why this 
emotion, sir?" said an officer by his side. Instantly recov- 
ering his composure, he said, "I am reconciled to my 
death, but I detest the mode." While waiting and stand- 
ing near the gallows, I observed some degree of trepida- 
tion; placing his foot on a stone, and rolling it over and 
^choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow. So 
soon, however, as he perceived that things were in readi- 
ness, he stepped quickly into the wagon, and at this mo- 
ment he appeared to shrink, but instantly elevating his 
head with firmness, he said, "It will be but a momentar}'- 
pang," and taking from his pocket two white handkerchiefs, 
the provost-marshal, with one, loosely pinioned his arms, 
and with the other, the victim, after taking off his hat and' 
stock, bandaged his own eyes with perfect firmness, which 
melted the hearts and moistened the cheeks, not only of 
his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The rope 
being appended to the gallows, he slipped the noose over 
his head and adjusted it to his neck, without the assistance 
of the awkward executioner. Colonel Scammel now in- 
formed him that he had an opportunity to speak, if he 
desired it; he raised the handkerchief from his eyes, and 
said, "I pray you to bear me witness that I meet my fate 
like a brave man." The wagon being now removed from 
under him, he was suspended, and instantly expired; it 
proved indeed "but a momentary pang." He was dressed 
in his royal regimentals and boots, and his remains, in 
the same dress, were placed in an ordinary coffin, and in- 
terred at the foot of the gallows; and the spot was conse- 
crated by the tears of thousands. 

Thus died, in the bloom of life, the accomplished Major 
Andre, the pride of the royal army, and the valued friend 
of Sir Henry Clinton. He was about twenty-nine years 
of age, in his person well proportioned, tall, genteel and 
graceful. His mien respectable and dignified. His counte- 
nance mild, expressive and prepossessing, indicative of an 
intelligent and amiable mind. His talents are said to have 
been of a superior cast, and, being cultivated in early life, 
he had made very considerable proficiency in literary attain- 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 229 

merits. Colonel Hamilton, aid-de-camp to General Wash- 
ington, having had an interview with him, entertains an 
exalted opinion of his character. In the line of his pro- 
fession, Major Andre, was considered as a skilful, brave 
and enterprising officer, and he is reported to have been 
benevolent and humane to our people who have been 
prisoners in New York. Military glory was the main- 
spring of his actions, and the sole object of his pursuits, 
and he was advancing rapidly in the gratification of his 
ambitious views, till by a misguided zeal he became a de- 
voted victim. He enjoyed the confidence and friendship 
of Sir Henry Clinton, being consulted in his councils and 
admitted to the secrets of his cabinet. The heart of sen- 
sibility mourns when a life of so much worth is sacrificed 
on a gibbet. General Washington was called to discharge 
a duty from which his soul revolted; and it is asserted 
that his hand could scarcely command his pen, when sign- 
ing the warrant for the execution of Major Andre. But, 
however abhorrent in the view of humanity, the laws and 
usages of war must be obeyed, and in all armies it is de- 
creed that the gallows shall be the fate of spies from the 
enemy. It was universally desired that Major Andre 
should experience every possible favor and indulgence, con- 
sistent with his peculiar circumstances, but it was well consi- 
dered that, should he be indulged in his request to be shot, 
it would imply that his case admitted of extenuation, and 
it might be doubted whether in justice he ought to be 
convicted as a spy. The British general himself has not 
hesitated to execute several persons of the same descrip- 
tion sent from our army into New York.* Could Arnold 

* It is with the highest degree of satisfaction, that I am enabled to 
copy the following interesting narrative, vouched by Major-General Hull, 
of Newton, from Hannah Adams' History of New England. Let the 
reader draw the striking contrast between the conduct of the royalists 
and the Americans, on an occasion where the duties of humanity and 
benevolence, were equally and imperiously demanded. 

" The retreat of General Washington left the British in complete pos- 
session of Long Island. What would be their future operations, 
remained uncertain. To obtain information of their situation, their 
strength .and future movements, was of high importance. For this pur- 
pose, General Washington applied to Colonel Knowlton, who commanded 
a regiment of light infantry, which formed the van of the American 
army, and desired him to adopt some mode of gaining the necessary 
information. Colonel Knowlton communicated this request to Captain 



230 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 

have been suspended on the gibbet erected for Andre, not 
a tear or a sigh would have been produced, but exultation 

Hale, of Connecticut, who was then a captain in his regiment. This 
young officer, animated by a sense of duty, and considering that an 
opportunity presented itself by which he might be useful to his country, 
at once offered himself a volunteer for this hazardous service. He 
passed in disguise to Long Island, examined every part of the British 
army, and obtained the best possible information respecting their situa- 
tion and future operations. 

"In his attempt to return, he was apprehended, carried before Sir Wil- 
liam Howe, and the proof of his object w;is so clear, that he frankly 
acknowledged who he was, and what were his views. 

"Sir William Howe at once gave an order to the provost-marshal to 
execute him the next morning. 

"The order was accordingly executed in a most unfeeling manner, 
and by as great a savage as ever disgraced humanity. A clergyman, 
whose attendance he desired, was refused him; a Bible for a moment's 
devotion was not procured, though he requested it. Letters which, on 
the morning of his execution, he wrote to his mother and other friends, 
were destroyed ; and this very extraordinary reason given by the provost- 
marshal, 'that the rebels should not know that they had a man in their 
army who could die with so much firmness.' 

"Unknown to all around him, without a single friend to offer him the 
least consolation, thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as 
America could boast, with this as his dying observation, 'that he only 
lamented he had but one life to lose for his country.' How superior 
to the dying words of Andre! Though the manner of liis execution 
will ever be abhorred by every friend to humanity and religion, yet there 
cannot be a question but that the sentence was conformable to the rules 
of war, and the practice of nations in similar cases. 

"It is, however, a justice due to the character of Captain Hale, to ob- 
serve, that his motives for engaging in this service were entirely different 
from those which generally intluence others in similar circumstances. 
'Neither expectation of promotion nor pecuniary reward induced him 
to this attempt. A sense of duty, a hope that he might in this way be 
useful to his country, and an opinion which he had adopted, that every 
kind of service necessary to the public good became honorable by being 
necessary, were the great motives which induced him to engage in an 
enterprise by whiih his connexions lost a most amiable friend and his 
country one of its most promising supporters.' 

"The fate of this unfortunate young man excites the most interesting 
reflections. To see such a character, in the flower of youth, cheerfully 
treading in the most hazardous path.s, influenced by the purest intentions, 
and only emulous to do good to his country, without the imputation of a 
crime, fall a victim to policy, must have been wounding to the feelings 
even of his enemies. 

"Should a comparison be drawn between Major Andre and Captain 
Hale, injustice would be done to the latter, should he not be placed on 
an equal ground with the former. Whilst almost every historian of the 
American Revolution has celebrated the virtues and lamented the fate 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 231 

and joy would have been visible on every countenance. 
But General Clinton suffers the vile and infamous traitor 
to tilude the hand of justice, and even bestows on him a 
reward for his crime. It may perhaps be suggested, that 
in this last act of his life Major Andre derogated from his 
character and station. That the laurels to adorn the brow 
of a soldier, can only be acquired in the field of battle, 
and not by encouraging acts of treason, by bribery and 
corruption. Surprise and stratagem, it is well known, 
eoustitute a valuable part of the art of war, by which 
many important objects are effected, and by some it is said 
that when acts of treason are practised, the infamy de- 
volves on the head of the traitors alone. In the present 
instance, it is supposed that Arnold made the first overture. 
It is well understood that Sir Henry Clinton enjoined it 
on Andre to transact the business on board the Vulture, 
and it was his own determination not to land on our shore; 
but such was the management of Arnold and his confed- 
erate, Smith, that he was actually compelled, contrary to 
his own judgment and intention, to come within our lines, 
and this circumstance alone placed him in the character 
of a common spy. The commander-in-chief was gener- 
ously disposed to compassionate his unhappy condition, 
and to soothe and mitigate his sorrow, and every officer in 
the army was actuated by feelings of sympathy and tender- 
ness towards him. The base and perfidious Arnold is held 
in the utmost abhorrence and detestation throughout our 
army, and his person, with the garrison at West Point into 
the bargain, would have been a dear purchase to Sir Henry 
for the life of his valuable friend and adjutant-general. 

West Point is now become a very celebrated and nu^m- 
orable spot, by the attempt of the royal general to out;iia 
possession of it through the defection and treachery of one 
of our officers, and the defeat of the conspiracy. Arnold 

of Andre, Hale has remained unnoticed, and it is scarcely knoion thai such 
a character ever existed. 

"To the memory of Andre, his country has erected the most magni- 
ficent monuments, and bestowed on his family the highest honors and 
most liberal rewards. To the memory of Hale not a stone has been 
erected, nor an inscription to preserve his ashes from insult."* 

* In the autumn of 1821, the remains of Major Andre were disinter- 
red, and transported to England. 



232 MILITAKY JOUKNAL, ITSO. 

was well apprised of its importance, and it was obviously 
his design to strike a fatal blow to the cause of his native 
country, and it was his intention that it should cost the 
British nothing more than the price of his own villany 
and treason. He had actually removed a New York re- 
giment from the point to the plain on the east side of the 
river, and sent off a number of soldiers from the garrison 
to cut wood at a distance, and disposed and arranged the 
remaining troops in such manner that little or no opposi- 
tion could have been made, and an immediate surrender 
would have been inevitable, or our troops must have fall- 
en a sacrifice. Deplorable indeed would have been the 
event, the loss of this highly important garrison with some 
of our best officers and men, the immense quantity of 
ordnance and military stores, together with the prodigious 
panic and gloom which at this critical period must have 
pervaded the whole people, could scarcely have failed of 
being productive of consequencesoverwhelming the phys- 
ical powers and energies of our country. But we are saved 
by amtVac/e, and we are confounded in awful astonishment. 
In a private letter, General Washington thus expresses 
himself respecting this transaction : 

"In no instance since the commencement of the war has the interpo- 
sition of Providence appeared more remarkably conspicuous than in the 
rescue of tlie post and garrison at West Point. How far Arnold meant 
to involve me in the catastrophe of this place, does not appear by any 
indubitable evidence, and 1 am rather inclined to think he did not wish 
to hazard the more important object, by attempting to combine two 
events, the lesser of which might have marred the greater. A combi- 
nation of extraordinary circumstances, and unaccountable deprivation 
of presence of mind in a man of the first abilities, and the virtue of 
three militia-men, threw the adjutant-general of the British forces, with 
full proof of Arnold's intention, into our hands, and but for the egregi- 
ous folly or the bewildered conception of Lieutenant-Colonel Jameson, 
who seemed lost in astonishment, and not to have known what he was 
doing, I should undoubtedly have gotten Arnold. Andre has met his 
fate, and with that fortitude which was to be expected from an accom- 
plished man and a gallant.ofJicer; but I mistake if Arnold is suffering 
at this time the torments of a mental hell. He wants feeling. From 
some traits of his character which have lately come to my knowledge, 
ne seems to have been so hacknied in crime, so lost to all sense of 
nonor and shame, that while his faculties still enable him to continue his 
sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse." 

For the sake of human nature, it were to be wished that 
a veil could be for ever thrown over so vile an example 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 283 

of depravity and wickedness. Traitor! you never can 
know the precious enjoyment of a quiet conscience ! While 
you sleep, your heart must be awake, and the voice of 
Andre must thrill through your very soul. Though you 
may console yourself that you have escaped the gallows, 
a consciousness of your crimes and the infamy and con- 
tempt which will for ever await you, must incessantly har- 
row and torment your spirit, rendering you of all villains 
the most wretched and miserable. The only atonement 
in your power to alleviate your poignant mental misery, 
is a humble and hearty confession, and to implore in sin- 
cerity the forgiveness of Heaven 1* 

Our brigade and three others decamped from Orange- 
town on the 7th instant. Our tents and baggage were sent 
up the Hudson in boats, and we took our route through 
the highlands. The road was almost impassable through 
a thick wood and over high mountains, constantly inter- 
sected by prodigious rocks, running brooks and deep val- 
lies. We arrived at West Point on the evening of the 8th, 
distance thirty-two miles ; the troops much fatigued, and 
our tents not arrived, took our sleep for the night on the 
ground in the woods and on the 9th, encamped on the 
plain, near the banks of the river. General Greene is now 
the commander of this garrison, and good order takes 
place of the confusion occasioned by Arnold's elopement. 

Joshua Smith, Esquire, the confederate of Arnold, has 
been tried by a court-martial, of which Colonel Henry 
Jackson was president; the evidence against him and his 
own confession go to prove that he went on board the 
Vulture, in the night, and brought on shore a gentleman 
who was called John Anderson, to have an interview with 
General Arnold ; that he secreted him in his house, fur- 
nished him with a horse and change of clothes, and that 
he accompanied him through our out-posts, and directed 
him into the proper road to New York. All this, he pleads 
in his defence, was by the express desire of General Arnold, 
who assured him that his object was to obtain some import- 
ant intelligence from New York, which would be highly 
advantageous to the public interest. He considered him- 
self, therefore, in the character of a confidental agent in 

* See the character of Arnold, in the Appendix. 



234 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1780. 

the employment of Arnold, without suspicion of treasona- 
ble conduct in this officer. This pretence is plausible, 
and it is his good fortune that no positive evidence could 
be produced to countervail his assertions. Though his 
actions appear criminal, yet it is possible his motives and 
views may have been laudable. The want of positive 
evidence, therefore, of his criminality, prevented his con- 
viction; bat so strong was the circumstantial proof of his 
guilt, that it was deemed proper that he should be kept in 
confinement. Beirig seized with indisposition, from appre- 
hension and anxiety of mind, I was requested to visit him 
in his prison. I found him very conversable, and he im- 
mediately entertained me with a relation of the particular 
circumstances of his case, which agreed substantially with 
the above statement. He promised to show me his writ- 
ten defence, produced at his trial, but no future opportunity 
occurred. He pretended that it was unjust and cruel that 
he should be depriycd of his liberty, when no evidence 
of guilt could be produced against him. He was soon 
removed to some prison in the country ;* after which, his 
lady arrived, expecting to find him here. I received a 
j)olite billet, requesting I would wait on her at the house 
of my friend Major Bowman, where I was introduced to 
her and to Airs. B, and her daughter, v/ith whom I took 
tea and spent the evening. Mrs. Smith was grievously 
disappointed that her husband was removed; she was very 
solicitous to be informed of the particular circumstances 
which attended him in his illness, and whether he was 
dejected in spirits, and politely thanked me for my atten- 
tion to him. She appears to be an accomplished and inter- 
esting woman, but is in much distress for the fate of her 
husband. She could not conceal her natural partiality 
and bias in his favor, and would willingly have left the 
impression which Arnold wished to make, when in his 
letter to General Washington, he says of his wife, "she is 
as good and as innocent as an angel, and is incapable of 
doing wrong." 

16th. — I have just returned from Orangetown, in com- 
pany with Captain Hunt, of our regiment, where I was 

* Smith was for several months in confinement; but either from a 
want of vifTJlance in his lieeper, or the indifference of the proper author- 
ity, lie was at length allowed to escape to New York. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 235 

called to visit his brother, who was left sick when we 
marched from that place. We dined with Doctors Eustis 
and Townsend at the hospital on our way, and with Cap- 
tain Livingston, a respectable oflS.cer, commanding at Stony 
Point, on our return. 

20th.- — Major-General Greene has been ordered to the 
southward, to take command of the American army in 
the Carolinas, and Major-General Heath succeeds to the 
command of this post. 

We have the mortifying intelligence that the enemy 
has laid waste a great part of the fertile country above 
Saratoga, and likewise the vicinity of Schenectady. The 
party consisted of Indians, tories, and Canadians, com- 
manded by Sir John Johnston. General Van Rensselaer, 
with the militia and some new levies, engaged the enemv 
at Fox's mills, Tryon county, and after a very severe action 
of three-quarters of an hour, forced them to give way and 
cross the river, leaving their plunder, baggage and pris- 
oners, which they had taken, behind them. One hour 
of day-light would have given us the whole party. The 
action was general and vigorous; we have to lament the 
loss of Colonel Brown, who was killed in skirmishing with 
tlie enemy. The devastation committed by this savage 
party is found to be very important, as it respects the in- 
habitants of the north. It is estimated at two hundred 
dwellings, one hundred and fifty thousand bushels of 
wheat, with a proportion of other grain and forage. The 
same party destroyed also the town of Schoharie, but the 
inhabitants fortunately secured themselves in the fort. 

Official intelligence is received of a very brilliant exploit 
of our militia in North Carolina. The famous royal par- 
tizan, Major Ferguson, was at the head of about one thou- 
sand four hundred British troops and tories. Colonels 
Campbell, Cleveland, Williams, Shelby and Sevier, brave 
and enterprising officers, had collected detached parties of 
militia, and by agreement the whole were united, and 
formed a body amounting to near three thousand. Colonel 
Campbell was appointed their commander. They imme- 
diately marched in pursuit of Major Ferguson, and came 
up with him advantageously posted, at a place called 
King's mountains. No time was lost in making a vigor- 
ous attack, and giving the enemy a total defeat, in which 



23g MILITAKY JOURNAL, ITSO. 

Alajor Ferguson and one hundred and fifty of his men 
were killed, eight hundred made prisoners, and fifteen 
hundred stand of arms taken, with a trifling loss on our 
side, excepting the brave Colonel Williams, who received 
a mortal wound after being crowned with honor. 

Congress have resolved that the regular army of the 
United States, from and after the first day of January, 
1781, shall consist of four regiments of artillery, forty-nine 
regiments of infantry, exclusive of Colonel Hazen's, called 
"the Congress' own regiment," and one regiment of arti- 
ficers. The respective states are to furnish their quotas 
as proportioned by Congress. And as, by the foregoing 
arrangement, many deserving officers may become super- 
numerary. Congress resolved that, after the reform of the 
army takes place, the officers shall be entitled to half-pay 
for seven years, in specie or other current money equiva- 
lent, and to have grants of land at the close of the war, 
agreeably to the resolution of the 16th September, 1776. 

A scarcity of provisions is again complained of in camp. 

It has long been the desire of General Washington to 
make some arrangement with General Clinton for an ex- 
change of prisoners; but many difficulties have attended 
to prevent the accomplishment of the object. A partial 
exchange has now been effected; Major- General Lincoln, 
who was taken at Charleston, has been exchanged for 
Major-General Phillips, captured at Saratoga. General 
Thompson and a number of other Ameiican officers, who 
have long been prisoners, are also liberated by exchange. 

Noveiiiher 1st. — A most tremendous storm of wind, snow 
and hail has continued almost incessantly for two days. 
Many of our tents were levelled with the ground, and 
officers and men exposed without a shelter. 

2d — This is a day of public Thanksgiving throughout 
the state of New York, on occasion of the discovery of 
Arnold's conspiracy. 

3d — A soldier has been executed to-day for desertion 
and persuading others to follow his example. 

A large detachment of troops has been ordered by 
General Heath to be in readiness, with two days' provi- 
sions cooked, to march on a foraging expedition, under 
command of Brigadier-General Stark. The detachment 
crossed the Hudson on the 21st instant, and paraded on 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 237 

Nelson's point, where they were reviewed by the Marquis 
de Chastellux, one of the generals of the French army at 
Newport. It is understood that the object of the expedi- 
tion is to procure a quantity of forage from the farms on 
the neutral ground, between the two armies, towards 
King's-bridge. After the review, the marquis crossed 
over to West Point, where his arrival was announced by 
the discharge of thirteen cannon. The detachment marched 
about ten miles, and took lodgings on the ground in the 
woods, beside large fires. In the night a severe storm of 
rain came on, that drenched our troops, and becoming 
more violent the next day, rendered the roads extremely 
bad, and our march very uncomfortable; ;^e reached 
North Castle, seventeen miles, and lodged in the woods, 
where our fires did not secure us from suffering much by 
wet and cold, 

23c/. — Marched to "West Farms, near West Chester, 
within eight miles of the enemy's works at King's-bridge. 
Here we kindled numerous fires in open view of the en- 
emy, and in the evening the troops were ordered to leave 
the fires and retire back about two miles, and remain 
under arms prepared for battle; but the enemy made 
no advances. 

24/A. — Another severe storm of rain, which continued 
through the day ; we, however, began to march at sun-rise, 
on our return, but soon halted, and took shelter under the 
bushes near White Plains. In this comfortless situation, 
we continued through the day and night. The next day, 
the storm continuing, X was so fortunate as to crowd into 
a house with some officers for shelter. 26th and 27th, 
marched twenty miles each day, and reached our former 
station at this place before night. 

The country which we lately traversed, about fifty miles 
in extent, is called neutral ground, but the miserable in- 
habitants who remain, are not much favored with the 
privileges which their neutrality ought to secure to them. 
They are continually exposed to the ravages and insults 
of infamous banditti, composed of royal refugees and 
tories. The country is rich and fertile, and the farms 
appear to have been advantageously cultivated, but it now 
has the marks of a country in ruins. A large proportion 
of the proprietors having abandoned their farms, the few 



238 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1780. 

that remain find it impossible to harvest the produce. 
The meadows and pastures are covered with grass of a 
summer's growth, and thousands of bushels of apples and 
other fruit are rotting in the orchards. We brought off 
about two hundred loads of hay and grain, and ten times 
the amount might have been procured, had teams enough 
been provided. Those of the inhabitants of the neutral 
ground who were tories, have joined their friends in New 
York, and the whigs have retired into the interior of 
our country. Some of each side have taken up arms, and 
become the most cruel and deadly foes. There are within 
the British lines banditti consisting" of lawless villains, who 
devote them.selves to the most cruel pillage and robbery 
among the defenceless inhabitants between the lines, many 
of whom they carry off to New York, after plundering 
their houses and farms. These shameless marauders have 
received the names of Cow-hoys and Simmers. By their 
atrocious deeds they have become a scourge and terror to 
the people. Numerous instances have been related of 
these miscreants subjecting defenceless persons to crueJ 
torture, to compel them to deliver up their money, or to 
disclose the places where it has been secreted. It is not 
uncommon for them to hang a man by his neck till ap- 
parently dead, then restore him, and repeat the experiment, 
and leave him for dead. One of these unhappy persons 
informed me that when suffering this cruel treatment, the 
last sensation which he recollects, when suspended by his 
neck, was a flashing heat over him, like that which would 
be occasioned by boiling water poured over his body; he 
was, however, cut down, and how long he remained on 
the ground insensible, he knows not. A peaceable, unre- 
sisting Quaker, of considerable respectability, by the name 
of Quimby, was visited by several of these vile rufiians; 
they first demanded his money, and after it was delivered, 
they suspected he had more concealed, and inflicted on 
him the most savage cruelties, in order to. extort it from 
him. They began with what they call scorching^ covering 
his naked body with hot ashes, and repeating the applica- 
tion till the skin was covered with blisters; after this, they 
resorted to the halter, and hung the poor man on a tree by 
his neck ; then took him down, and repeated it a second, 
and even a third time, and finally left him almost lifeless. 




JOUJf UAJ^COCK. P, 239. 




COLOJ^EL WILLIAM WASHIJfQTOJ^, P. 254. 




GEJVERAL VjIJVIEL MORGAN. P. 254. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 239 

SOth. — It is now well understood that our detachment, 
under the pretext of a foraging expedition, was intended 
by the commander-in-chief to cooperate with the main 
army in an attempt against the enemy's post on York isl- 
and. Boats, mounted on travelling carriages, have been 
kept with the army all the campaign. The Marquis de la 
Fayette, at the head of his beautiful corps of lighi-infantry, 
constantly advancing in front, was to have commenced the 
attack in the night, and the whole army was prepared to 
make a general attack on the enemy's works. By some 
movement of the British vessels, or other cause, known 
only to the commander-in-chief and his confidential officers, 
this noble enterprise was unfortunately defeated. The 
campaign is now brought to a close, without effecting any 
very important object. We have several times offered 
the enemy battle, but they refuse to accept the challenge. 
The marquis suffers on this occasion the most painful dis- 
appointment. He had spared no pains or expense to 
render his corps of infiintry as fine a body of troops as 
can be produced in any country; every officer under his 
command received from him a present of an elegant sword, 
and the soldiers were put in uniform mostly at his ex- 
pense. The officers cheerfully seconded his endeavors to 
perfect the men in discipline, and a noble spirit of emula- 
tion universally prevailed among them. The marquis 
viewed this corps as one formed and modelled according to 
his own wishes, and as meriting his highest confidence. 
They were the pride of his heart, and he was the idol of 
their regard, who were constantly panting for an opportu- 
nity of accomplishing some signal achievement, worthy of 
his and their character. This brilliant corps is now dis- 
solved, and the men have rejoined their respective regi- 
ments, and we are soon to retire into the wilderness to 
prepare for winter-quarters. 

Intelligence is received from Boston that his Excellency 
John Hancock has been elected by the people of the state 
of Massachusetts the first governor under their new con- 
stitution. This event affords universal satisfaction, and 
has been announced in Boston by public rejoicing, firing 
of thirteen cannon, military parade, feu dejoie, and elegant 
entertainments. 

It is with inexpressible satisfaction that we learn, the 



240 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

patriotic' ladies of Philadelphia and its vicinity liave dis- 
tinguished themselves by a generous and liberal regard to 
the sufferings of our soldiery, and have engaged in the 
benevolent work of raising contributions among them- 
selves, and stimulating others, for the purpose of affording 
a temporary relief for the soldiers on service in that 
vicinity. I extract from the newspapers the sentiments 
of an ^^ American Woman,'''' addressed to American ladies 
relative to the subject, which should be recorded for the 
honor of the sex : 

"On the commencement of actual war, the women of America mani- 
fested a firm resolution to contribute as much as could depend on them 
to the deliverance of tlieir country. Animated by tiie purest patriotism, 
they are full of sorrow at this day in not offering tnore than barren 
wishes for the success of so glorious a revolution. They aspire to 
render themselves more really useful; and this .sentiment is universal, 
from the north to the south of the Thirteen United States. Our ambi- 
tion is kindled by the fame of those heroines of antiquity, who have 
rendered their sex illustrious, and have proved to the world that, if 
the weakness of our constitution, if opinion and manners did not forbid 
us to march to glory by the same path as the men, we should at least 
equal, and sometimes surpass them in our love for the public good. 
I glory in all that my sex iiave done that is great and commendable. I 
call to mind with enthusiasm and with admiration all those acts of 
courage, of constancy and patriotism, which history has transmitted to 
us: the people favored by Heaven, preserved from destruction by the 
virtues, the zeal and the resulution of Deborah, of Judith, of Esther — 
the fortitude of the mother of the Maccabees, in giving up her sons to 
die before her eyes — Rome saved from the fury of a victorious enemy 
by the efforts of Volumnia and other Roman Indies — so many famous 
sieges where the women have been seen forgetting the weakness of 
their sex, building new walls, digging trenches with their feeble hands, 
furnishing arms to their defenders, they themselves darting the missile- 
weapons on the enemy, resigning the ornaments of their apparel, and 
their fortune, to fill the public treasury, and to iiasten the deliverance of 
their country; burying themselves under its ruins; throwing themselves 
into the flames, rather than submit to the disgrace of humiliation before 
a proud enemy. 

" We are certain that he cannot be a good citizen, who will not ap- 
plaud our efforts for the relief of the armies, which defend our lives, our 
possessions, our liberty. The situation of our soldiery has been repre- 
sented to me; the evils inseparable from war, and the firm and generous 
spirit which has enabled them to support these. But it has been said 
that they may apprehend that, in the course of a long war, the view of 
their distresses may be lost, and their services be forgotten. Forgotten ! 
never; I can answer in the name of all my sex. Brave Americans, your 
disinterestedness, your courage, and your constancy, will always be dear 
to America, so long as she shall preserve her virtue. 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 241 

" We know that at a distancp from the theatre of war, if we enjoy 
any tranquillity, it is the i'ruit of your watchings, your labors, your dan- 
gers. If I live happy in the mid.st of my family; if my husband culti- 
vates his field, and reaps his harvest in peace; it', surrounded with my 
children, I myself nourish the youngest, and press it to my bosom, with- 
out being afraid of seeing myself st parated from it by a ferocious en- 
emy; if the house in which we dwell, if our barns, our orchards, are safe 
at the present time from the hands of the incendiary; it is to you that 
we owe it. And shall we hesitate to evidence to you our gratitude? 
shall we hesitate to wear a clothing more simple; hair dressed less ele- 
gantly, while, at the price of this small privation, we shall deserve your 
benedictions] Who among us will not renounce with the highest 
pleasure those vain ornaments, when she shall consider that the valiant 
defenders of America will be able to draw some advantage from the 
nuiney wliich she may have laid out in these? — that they will be better 
defended from the rigors of the seasons; that after their painful toils 
they will receive some extraordinary and unexpected relief; that these 
presents will perhaps be valued by them at a greater price, m hen they 
will have it in their power to say. This is the oljering < if the ladies! The 
time is arrived to display the same sentiments which animated us at the 
beginning of the revolution, when we renounced the use of te; s, how- 
ever agreeable to our taste, rather than receive them from our persecu- 
tors; when we made it appear to them that we placed former necessaries 
in the raidi of superfluities, when our liberty was interested; when our 
republican and laborious hands spun the flax and prepared the linen in- 
tended for the use of our soldiers; when, exiles and fugitives, we sup- 
poited with courage all the evils which are the concomitants of war. 
Let us not lose a moment: let us be engaged to oiler the homage of 
our gratitude at the altar of military valor; and you, our brave deliver- 
ers, while mercenary slaves combat to cause you to share with them the 
irons with which they are loaded, receive with a free hand our ofi'ering, 
the purest which can be presented to your virtue." 

After this publication, the ladies divided the citv of 
Philadelphia into districts, and a select number visited 
every house, and received the contribution. The method 
proposed of distributing their bounty to the troops, was 
through the medium of Mrs. Washington, but in her ab- 
sence, through that of her husband, the father and friend 
of the soldiery. From the kind and generous exertions 
of these ladies, the soldiers received at one time two thoti- 
sand one hundred and seven shirts, made by their own 
hands; and in another pxaper it is mentioned that the sum 
total of the donations received by the ladies of Philadel- 
phia, in their several districts, for the American army, 
amounts to three hundred thousand seven hundred and 
sixty-six dollars in paper currency. Such free-will offer- 
ings are examples truly icorthy of imitation^ and are to be con- 



242 MILITARY JOUKXAL, 1780. 

sidered as expressionsof kindness and benevolence, which 
ouglit to be recorded to the honor of American ladies. 

JJecemher 1st. — Our brigade is now ordered into the 
woods, in the highlands, in the rear of West Point, where 
we are to build log-huts for winter cantonments. We are 
again subjected to numerous privations and difficulties, to 
support which requires all our patience and fortitude. The 
soldiers, though very miserably clad, have been for some 
time obliged to bring all the wood for themselves and 
of&cers on their backs, from a. place a mile distant, and 
almost half the time are kept on half-allowance of bread, 
and entirely without rum. Twelve or fourteen months' 
pay are now due to us, and we are destitute of clothing 
and the necessaries of life. The weathe»*is remarkably 
cold, and our tents are comfortless. 

lO^A. — For three days I have not been able to procure 
food enough to appease my appetite; we are threatened 
with starvation. That a part of our army, charged with 
the defence of a post so highly important to America, 
should be left in such an unprovided and destitute condi- 
tion, is truly a matter of astonishment; and unless a rem- 
edy can be found, our soldiers will abandon the cause of 
their country, and we must submit to the yoke of Great 
Britain, which we so much abhor. 

20//i. — During the last ten days we have experienced 
almost continued storms of rain, high wiftds, and disagree- 
able fogs. Our canvas dwellings afford us but little 
protection against such powerful assailants; they are fre- 
quently rent asunder, and we are almost overwhelmed 
with inundation. 

A very spirited and honorable enterprise has lately been 
planned and executed by Major Talmadge, of Colonel 
Sheldon's regiment of dragoons. The enemy having large 
magazines of forage and stores in the vicinity of fort St. 
George, on Long Island, he resolved to hazard the attempt 
to seize them by surprise. Fort St. George was stockaded, 
and covered a large spot of ground, having a square re- 
doubt, with a ditch and abatis. With about eighty dis- 
mounted dragoons, under Captain Edgar, and eight or ten 
on horseback, Major Talmadge passed the Sound, where it 
was about twenty miles from shore to shore, marched 
across the island in the night with such facility and ad- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 243 

dress, that his enterprise was crowned with complete suc- 
cess. The enemy were not alarmed till too late to make 
much resistance ; seven, however, were killed and wounded, 
and the remainder, amounting to fifty-four, among whom 
were one lieutenant-colonel, one captain and a subaltern, 
were made prisoners. The fort was demolished, two armed 
vessels were burned, and a large magazine of hay, said to 
be three hundred tons, with stores to a large amount, 
shared the same fate. Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound 
with his brave party without the loss of a man. The 
commander-in-chief was so well pleased with this exploit, 
that he recommended Major Talmadge to the notice of 
Congress, and they voted him their thanks for his brave 
and spirited conduct. 

The extraordinary patience and fortitude which have 
hitherto been so honorably displa3^ed by our officers and 
soldiers under their complicated distresses, appear now to 
be exhausted. From repeated disappointments of our 
hopes and expectations, the confidence of the army in 
public justice and public promises is greatly diminished, 
and we are reduced almost to despair. 

The present crisis is alarming. Regimental officers are 
continually resigning their commissions, and a large pro- 
portion of those who remain have pledged themselves to 
follow their example, unless a redress of grievances can 
soon be obtained. Nothing short of what we conceive to 
be justly our due, a comfortable and permanent support, 
will retain our officers, however ardent their desire to 
serve their country. They exclaim, "Let others come and 
take their turn ! we have served years longer than we ex- 
pected, and have acquitted ourselves of duty." All the 
'.general officers belonging to New England have united in 
a memorial to their respective state governments, com- 
plaining of our grievances, and requesting immediate re- 
lief and security for the future. This memorial, being put 
into the mail, was taken from the Fishkill post-rider by 
some emissary from the enem}^, and has been published 
in the New York papers, by which our forlorn situation 
has been exposed, and much exultation occasioned among 
those who are watching for our destruction. 

The resolution of Congress for a new arrangement of 
the army was not conformable to the expectations of the 



244 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

officers, and caused uneasiness among them. The com- 
mander-in-chief saw that a storm was gathering, and 
thought it prudent on this occasion to communicate his 
opinion to Congress on the best means to avert it. On 
the 11th of October, he informed Congress, "that the gen- 
eral topic of declamation in the army is, that it is as hard 
as dishonorable for men who had made every sacrifice to 
the service, to be turned out of it, at the pleasure of those 
in power, without an adequate compensation. Too many 
of the officers wish to get rid of their commissions, but 
they are not willing to be forced to it." 

The commander-in-chief, in his communication to Con- 
gress, suggests the policy of making ample provision, both 
for the officers who stay and for those who are reduced. 
He recommended what he thought would be the most 
economical, the most politic, and the most effectual pro- 
vision, half-pay for life, "Supported," the general says, 
"by a prospect of a permanent dependence, the officers 
would be tied to the service, and would submit to many 
momentary privations, and to the inconveniences which 
the situation of the public service make unavoidable. If 
the objection drawn from the principle that this measure 
is incompatible with the genius of our government, be 
thought insurmountable, I would propose a substitute, 
less eligible in my opinion, but which may answer the 
purpose: it is to make the present half-pay^ for seven 
years, wJiole pay for the same period, to be advanced at 
two different payments, one half in a year after the con- 
clusion of peace, the other half in two years after." 

His excellency also takes notice of the injuries and in- 
conveniences which attend a continual change of officers, 
and consequent promotions in the army. 

Soon after Congress were possessed of the sentiments 
of General Washington, they resolved, "that the com- 
mander-in-chief and commanding officer in the northern 
department, direct the officers of each state to meet and 
agree on the officers for the regiments to be raised by 
their respective states, from those who incline to continue 
in service, and where it cannot be done by agreement, to 
be determined by seniority; and make return of those 
who are to remain, which is to be transmitted to Congress, 
together with the names of the officers reduced, who are 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 245 

to be allowed half-pay for life. That the officers v/ho shall 
continue in service to the end of the war, shall also be 
entitled to half-pay during life, to commence from the time 
of their reduction," 

Januarg Ist^ 1781. — On this, the first day of the new 
year, an arrangement of our army takes place, according 
to a late resolve of Congress, The supernumerary regi- 
ments are to be incorporated with those Avhich continue 
on the new establishment, and the supernumerary ofiicers 
are to retire from service on the establishment fixed by 
Congress, and are to be entitled to the same privileges and 
emoluments which are to be allowed to those who con- 
tinue to the end of the war. It being optional with me 
either to retire or to continue in service, I shall retain my 
commission as surgeon to Colonel H. Jackson's regiment. 
We are encouraged to anticipate more favorable circum- 
stances and more liberal compensation — Congress having 
at length passed several resolves, entitling all officers who 
shall continue in service till the end of the war, or shall 
be reduced before that time, as supernumeraries, to receive 
half-pay during life, and a certain number of acres of land, 
in proportion to their rank. Besides these pecuniary con- 
siderations, we are actuated by the purest principles of 
patriotism; having engaged in the mighty struggle, we 
are ambitious to persevere to the end. To be instrumental 
in the achievement of a glorious independence for our 
country and posterity, will be a source of infinite satisfac- 
tion, and of most grateful recollection, during the remainder 
of our days. Notwithstanding the unparalleled suflerings 
and hardships which have hitherto attended our military 
career, scarcely an officer retires without the deepest regret 
and reluctance. So strong is the attachment, and so fas- 
cinating the idea of participating with our illustrious 
commander in military glory, that a separation is like a 
relinquishment of principle, and abandonment of the great 
interest of our native country. 

2>d. — Oar brigade took possession of our huts for the 
winter, in the woods about two miles in the rear of the 
works at West Point. Our situation is singularly roman- 
tic, on a highly-elevated spot, surrounded b}^ mountains 
and craggy rocks of a prodigious size, lofty broken clefis, 
and the banks of the beautifully meandering Hudson, 



246 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 17S1. 

affording a view of the country for many miles in all 
directions. We have now no longer reason to complain 
of our accommodations; the huts are warm and comforta- 
ble, wood in abundance at our doors, and a tolerable sup- 
ply of provisions. Our only complaint is want of money. 
4//;. — Eeports of a very serious and alarming nature 
have this day reached us from the Jerseys. The Penn- 
sylvania line of troops, consisting of about two thousand 
men, in winter-quarters in the vicinity of Morristown, 
have come to the desperate resolution of revolting from 
tlieir officers. Though the Pennsylvania troops have been 
subjected to all the discouragements and difficulties felt 
by the rest of the army, some particular circumstances 
peculiar to themselves have contributed to produce the 
revolt. When the soldiers first enlisted, the recruiting 
officers were provided with enlisting-rolls for the term of 
three years, er during the continuance of the war, and as 
the officers indulged the opinion that the war would not 
continue more than three years, they were perhaps indif- 
ferent in which column the soldier's name was inserted, 
leaving it liable to an ambiguity of construction. It is 
clear, however, that a part enlisted for three years, and 
others for the more indefinite term "during the war." 
The soldiers now contend that they enlisted for three 
years at furthest, and were to have been discharged sooner, 
iu case the war terminated before the expiration of this 
term. The war being protracted beyond the time ex- 
pected, and the officers, knowing the value of soldiers who 
nave been trained by three years' service, are accused of 
putting a different construction on the original agreement, 
and claiming their services during the war. The soldiers, 
even those who actually enlisted for the war, having re- 
ceived very small bounties, complain of imposition and 
deception, and their case is extremely aggravated by the 
fact, that three half-joes have now been offered as a bounty 
to others who will enlist for the remainder of the war, 
when these veteran soldiers have served three years for a 
mere shadow of compensation ! It was scarcely necessary 
to add to their trjdng circumstances a total want of pay 
for twelve months, and a state of nakedness and famine, to 
excite in a soldier the spirit of insurrection. The officers 
themselves, also feeling aggrieved, and in a destitute con- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 247 

dition, relaxed in their system of camp-discipline, and tlie 
soldiers occasionally overheard their murmurs and com- 
plaints. Having appointed a sergeant-major for their 
commander, styling him major-general, and having con- 
certed their arrangements, on the first day of the new year 
they put their mutinous scheme into execution. On a 
preconcerted signal, the whole line, except a part of three 
regiments, paraded under arms without their officers, 
marched to the magazines, and supplied themselves with 
provisions and ammunition, and, seizing six field-pieces, 
took horses from General Wayne's stable to transport 
them. The officers of the line collected those who had 
not yet joined the insurgents, and endeavored to restore 
order; but the revolters fired, and killed a Captain Billing, 
and wounded several other officers, and a few men were 
killed on each side. The mutineers commanded the party 
who opposed them to come over to them instantly, or 
they should be bayoneted, and the order was obe3'ed. 
General Wayne, who commanded the Pennsylvania troops, 
endeavored to interpose his influence and authority, urging 
them to return to their duty till their grievances could be 
inquired into and redressed. But all was to no purpose, 
and on cocking his pistol, they instantly presented their 
bayonets to his breast, saying, "We respect and love you; 
often have you led us into the field of battle, but we are 
no longer under your command; we warn you to be on 
your guard; if you fire your pistols, or attempt to enforce 
your commands, we shall put you instantly to death." 
General Wayne next expostulated with them, expressing 
his apprehension that they were about to sacrifice the 
glorious cause of their country, and that the enemy would 
avail themselves of the opportunity to advance and im- 
prove so favorable an occasion. They assured him that 
they still retained an attachment and respect for the cause 
which they had embraced, and that, so far from a disposi- 
tion to abandon it, if the enemy should dare to come out 
of New York, they would, under his and his officers' orders, 
face them in the field, and oppose them to the utmost in 
their power. They complained that they had been im- 
posed on and deceived respecting the term of their enlist- 
ment; that they had received no wages for more than a 
year; and that they were destitute of clothing, and had 



24:8 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781, 

often been deprived of their rations. These were their 
grievances, and they were determined to march to Piiila- 
delphia, and demand of Congress that justice which had 
so long been denied them. The}' commenced their march 
in regular military order, and when encamped at night, 
they posted out piquets, guards, and sentinels. General 
Wayne, to prevent their depredations on private property, 
supplied them with provisions, and he, with Colonels 
Stewart and Butler, officers whom the soldiers respected 
and loved, followed and mixed with them, to watch their 
motions and views, and they received from them respectful 
and civil treatment. On the third day, the insurgent 
troops reached Princeton, and, by request of General 
Wayne, they deputed a committee of sergeants, who stated 
to him formally in writing their claims, as follows: 1st, 
A discharge for all those, without exception, Avho had 
served three years under their original engagements, and 
had not received the increased bounty and reenlisted for 
the war. 2d, An immediate payment of all their arrears 
of pay and clothing, both to those who should be dis- 
charged and those who should be retained. 8d, Tlie 
residue of their bounty, to put them on an equal footing 
with those recently enlisted, and future substantial pay to 
those who should remain in the service. — To these de- 
mands, in their full extent, General Wayne could not feel 
himself authorized to answer in the affirmative, and a 
further negotiation was referred to the civil authority of 
the state of Pennsylvania. General Washington, whose 
head-quarters' are at New Windsor, on the west side of 
the Hudson, received the intelligence on the 3d instant, 
and summoned a council of war, consisting of the general 
and field officers, to devise the most proper measures to be 
pursued on this alarming occasion. Great apprehension 
was entertained that other troops, who have equal cause 
of discontent, would be excited to adopt a similar course. 
It is ordered that five battalions be formed by detachments 
fiom the several lines, to be held in perfect readiness to 
march on the shortest notice, with four days' provision 
cooked ; and measures, it is understood, are taken to 
bring the militia into immediate service, if required. In- 
telligence of the revolt having reached Sir Henry Clinton, 
he cherished the hope that, by encouraging a rebellion, 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1781. 249 

and turning the swords of our own soldiers against their 
country and brethren, he should have it in his power to 
effect an object, which by his own arms he could not ac- 
complish. He immediately despatched two emissaries — 
a British sergeant, and one Ogden, of New Jersey — to the 
dissatisfied troops, with written instructions that, by lay- 
ing down their arms and marching to New York, they 
should receive their arrearages and depreciation in hard 
cash, and should be well clothed, have a free pardon for 
all past offences, and be taken under the protection of the 
British government, and no military service should be 
required of them, unless voluntarily offered. They were 
requested to send persons to meet agents, who would be 
appointed by Sir Henry, to adjust the terms of a treaty, 
and the British general himself passed over to Staten Isl- 
and, having a large body of troops in readiness to act as 
circumstances might require. The proposals from the 
enemy were rejected with disdain, and the mutineers de- 
livered the papers to General Wayne, but refused to give 
up the emissaries, preferring to keep them in durance till 
their difficulties could be discussed and settled. A com- 
mittee of Congress was appointed, who conferred with the 
executive council of the state of Pennsylvania, and by 
the latter authority an accommodation of the affairs with 
the revolters has been effected, by giving an interpretation 
favorable to the soldiers of the enlistments which were 
for three years or during the war, declaring them to expire 
at the end of three years. The insurgents now surrendered 
the two emissaries into the hands of General Wayne, on 
the stipulated condition that they should not be executed 
till their affairs should be compromised; or, in case of 
failure, the prisoners should be redelivered when demanded. 
They were eventually, however, tried as spies, convicted, 
and immediately executed. A board of commissioners 
was now appointed, of whom three were deputed from the 
revolters, authorized to determine what description of 
soldiers should be discharged. The result is, that the 
soldiers have accomplished their views, the committee, 
from prudential motives, without waiting for the enlisting 
papers, complied with their demands, and discharged from 
service a majority of the line, on their making oath, that 
they enlisted for three years only. The enlisting rolls 



250 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

liaving since been produced, it is found that by far the 
largest number of those hberated, had actually enlisted lor 
the whole war. Thus has terminated a most unfortunate 
transaction, which might have been prevented, had the 
just complaints of the army received proper attention in 
due season. General Wayne is a native of Pennsylvania, 
and has acquired the affection of the soldiery of that state. 
He possesses a commanding presence, genteel and pleasing 
address, a daring bravery, is excellent in discipline, aspir- 
ing and unrivalled in enterprise, and is held in high respect 
by his compatriots in arms. 

A detachment, vinder the command of Lieutenant- Col- 
onel Hull, has returned from a successful expedition, having 
attacked by surprise the royal refugee corps, under the 
command of the noted Colonel Delancy, posted at Mor- 
risania. Colonel Hull has for several months past sustained 
the command of a detachment of our troops posted in ad- 
vance of our army, a situation requiring the most active 
vigilance and precaution, to guard Against surprise and 
stratagem. In this station, as in many others, this officer 
has evinced his militai-y skill and judgment. He has exe- 
cuted an enterprise with such address and gallantry, as to 
merit for himself and his detachment the highest honor. 
He bravely forced a narrow passage to the enemy, and 
besides a number being killed, he took upwards of fifty 
prisoners, cut away the bridge, burned their huts and a 
considerable quantity of forage, and brought off a number 
of hotses and cattle. Colonel Hull possesses in a high 
degree the confidence of the commander-in-chief, and for 
his judicious arrangements in the plan, and intrepidity 
and valor in the execution of the enterprise, he received 
the thanks of his excellency, and afterwards of Congress. 
The enemy pursued our troops, and fell in with a covering- 
party, under command of Colonel Hazen, and in a skirmish 
which ensued, they suffered an additional loss of about 
thirty-five men. Of Colonel Hull's detachment, one en- 
sign and twenty -five rank and file were killed and wounded. 
This successful exploit is calculated to raise the spirits of 
our troops, and to divert their minds from the unhappy 
occurrence which has recently taken place in camp, and at 
the same time it may convince the enemy that the affairs 
of our army are not altogether desperate. 



MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1781. • 251 

We are again affiicted with alarming intelligence. That 
part of the Jersey line of troops, which are cantoned at 
Pompton, in the state of New Jersey, have followed the 
example of the Pennsylvanians, having revolted, and aban- 
doned their officers. General Washington is resolutely de- 
termined that this instance of mutiny shall not pass with 
impunity. Instead of temporizing, he has ordered a de- 
tachment of live hundred men, properly officered, to march 
for the purpose of reducing them to a proper sense of duty. 
It falls to my lot to accompany the detachment. Major- 
General Robert Howe commands on this expedition, and 
Lieutenant-Colonel Sprout is second in command, and the 
other lield-offlcers are Lieutenant-Colonel Mellen and Major 
Oliver. We marched on the 2od as far as the forest of 
Dean, and at night crowded into houses and barns. A 
body of snow, about two feet deep, without any track, 
rendered the march extremely difficult. Having no horse, 
I experienced inexpressible fatigue, and was obliged sev- 
eral times to sit down on the snow. 2'Ith, Marched over 
the mountains, and reached Carle's tavern, in Smith's 
Clove; halted for two hours, then proceeded thirteen miles, 
and quartered our men in the scattering houses and barns. 
2oth, Marched nine miles, and reached Ringwood. Gen- 
eral Howe and all the field-officers took lodgings at the 
house of Mrs. Erskine, the amiable widow of the late re- 
spectable geographer of our army. We were entertained 
with an elegant supper and excellent wine. Mrs. Erskine 
is a sensible and accomplished woman, lives in a style of 
affluence and fashion; every thing indicates wealth, taste 
and splendor; and she takes pleasure in entertaining the 
friends of her lat6 husband with generous hospitality. 

Marched on the 27th, at one o'clock A. M. eight miles, 
which brought us in view of the huts of the insurgent sol- 
diers by dawn of da.j. Here we halted for an hour, to 
make the necessary preparations. Some of our officers 
suffered much anxiety, lest the soldiers would not prove 
faithful on this trying occasion. Orders were given to 
load their arms: it was obeyed with alacrity, and indica- 
tions were given that they were to be relied on. Being 
paraded in a line. General Howe harangued them, repre- 
senting the heinousness of the crime of mutiny, and the 
absolute necessity of military subordination; adding that 



252 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 

the mutineers must be brought to an unconditional sub- 
mission: no temporizing, no listening to terms of compro- 
mise, while in a state of resistance. Two field-pieces were 
now ordered to be placed in view of the insurgents, and 
the troops were directed to surround the huts on all sides. 
Greneral Howe next ordered his aid-de-camp to command 
the mutineers to appear on parade in front of their huts 
unarmed, within five minutes; observing them to hesitate, 
a second messenger was sent, and they instantly obe3'ed 
the command, and paraded in a line without arms, being 
in number between two and three hundred. Finding 
themselves closely encircled and unable to resist, they 
quietly submitted to the fate which awaited them. Gen- 
eral Howe ordered that three of the ringleaders should be 
selected as victims for condign punishment. These un- 
fortunate culprits were tried on the spot. Colonel Sprout 
being president of the court-martial, standing on the snow, 
and they were sentenced to be immediately shot. Twelve 
of the most guilty mutineers were next selected to be 
their executioners. This was a most painful task; being 
themselves guilty, they were greatly distressed with the 
duty imposed on them, and when ordered to load, some 
of them shed tears. The wretched victims, overwhelmed 
by the terrors of death, had neither time nor power to 
implore the mercy and forgiveness of their God, and such 
was their agonizing condition, that no heart could refi'ain 
from emotions of sympathy and compassion. The first 
that suflered was a sergeant, and an old offender; he was 
led a few j-ards' distance, and placed on his knees; six of 
the executioners, at the signal given by an officer, fired, 
three aiming at the head and three at the breast, the other 
six reserving their fire in order to despatch the victim, 
should the first fire fail; it so happened in this instance; 
the remaining six then fired, and life was instantly extin- 
guished. The second criminal was, by the first fire, sent 
into eternity in an instant. The third being less criminal, 
by the recommendation of his of&cers, to his unspeakable 
joy, received a pardon. This tragical scene produced a 
dreadful shock, and a salutary effect on the minds of the 
guilty soldiers. Never were men more completely hum- 
bled and penitent; tears of sorrow and of joy rushed irom 
their eyes, and each one appeared to congratulate himself 



MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1781. 253 

that his forfeited life had been spared. The executions 
being finished, General Howe ordered the former officers 
to take their stations, and resume their respective com- 
mands; he then, in a very pathetic and affecting manner, 
addressed the whole line by platoons, endeavoring to im- 
press their minds with a sense of the enormity of their 
crime, and the dreadful consequences that might have 
resulted. He then commanded them to ask pardon of 
their officers, and promise to devote themselves to the 
faithful discharge of their duty as soldiers in future. It 
is most painful to reflect that circumstances should impe- 
riously demand the infliction of capital punishment on 
soldiers who have more than a shadow of plea to extenuate 
their crime. These unfortunate men have long suffered 
many serious grievances, which they have sustained with 
commendable patience; but have at length lost their con- 
fidence in public justice. The success of the Pennsylvania 
insurgents undoubtedly encouraged them to hope for ex- 
emption from punishment. But the very existence of an 
army depends on proper discipline and subordination. 
The arm of authority must be exerted, and public exam- 
ples be exhibited, to deter from the commission of crimes. 
The spirit of revolt must be effectually repressed, or a total 
annihilation of the army is inevitable. Sir Henry Clinton 
on this occasion had his hopes again excited; ever ready 
to profit by treachery or revolt, he despatched an emissary 
to encourage the insurrection, and to make the most 
tempting offers to induce the mutineers to desert, and join 
the British standard; but the messenger himself frustrated 
his hopes by delivering the papers to our own officers. 

Having completed the object of our expedition, we re- 
turned to our cantonments on the 31st instant. 

February. — Major-General Greene has transmitted to 
Congress an account of a brilliant action of General Sump- 
ter, of the southern army, a few weeks since. General 
Sumpter engaged with a body of three hundred cavalry, 
of Tarleton's legion, and about two hundred and fifty 
British infantry. The conflict was warm and close, in 
which the enemy were repulsed. They rallied, and on 
the second charge were repulsed again. They made a 
third effort, but a fire from an eminence, occupied by the 
continentals, gave them an effectual check; they quitted 



254 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. 

tlie field and retired, leaving ninety dead and one hundred 
wounded. Only three were killed and four wounded on 
the part of the Americans; among the latter is General 
Sumpter. A party of tories from the outposts of the 
British, advanced to intercept the wagons, and avail them- 
selves of the supplies. General Smallwood despatched 
Brigadier-General Morgan and Lieutenant-Colonel Wash- 
ington to attack them. Lieutenant-Colonel Washington, 
being destitute of artillery, made use of the following strat- 
agem: He mounted on a carriage a pine log, cut into the 
form of a cannon, and holding out the appearance of an 
attack with field-pieces, gained his point by sending a flag, 
and demanding the immediate surrender of Colonel Kugely 
and his party, consisting of one hundred and twelve men, 
who, on the approach of Lieutenant-Colonel Washington, 
had retired to a log barn on Kugely's plantation. They 
surrendered without firing a gun. 

10^/i. — Accounts have been received that an action has 
been fought at a place called the Cowpens, in Carolina, 
between a body of the enemy, under the celebrated Colo- 
nel Tarleton, with one thousand one hundred men, and a 
party of about eight hundred Americans, under the com- 
mand of the equally celebrated General Morgan; the 
enemy were totally routed, and pursued upwards of twenty 
miles. Of Tarleton's party, ten officers and one hundred 
rank and file were killed, and two hundred wounded, 
twenty-nine oflicers and five hundred rank and file were 
taken prisoners, with two field-pieces, two standards, eight 
hundred muskets, thirty-five wagons, seventy negroes, one 
hundred dragoon horses, one travelling forge, and all their 
music. The loss on Morgan's side was not more than 
twelve killed and sixty wounded. Morgan and his party 
have acquired immortal honor, and in this action Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Washington and Lieutenant-Colonel How- 
ard were most highly distinguished for their brave and 
gallant conduct. 

lith. — General Warner and Colonel Ashley, of Massa- 
chusetts, have arrived at West Point, to distribute to the 
soldiers of the Massachusetts line, engaged for a small 
bounty to serve during the war, twenty-four dollars in 
specie each, as a gratuity from the state. This very gener- 
ous act serves to dissipate the gloom on the countenances 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1781. 2uo 

of our brave soldiers; it enlivens their dejected spirits, 
and convinces them that they are yet the objects of a 
friendly recollection. 

The advance-guard of our army, consisting of about 
two hundred men, is posted at Crompond, about twenty 
miles below West Point, and is relieved every two or three 
weeks. A surgeon constantly attends, and I am now 
ordered to repair to that post to relieve Dr. Thomas. 

March. — I have taken my quarters at Crompond, in a 
house with Major Trescott, who commands at this post. 
This vicinity is constantly harassed by small parties of 
volunteers on our side, and parties of royalists and tories 
on the other, who are making every effort to effect mutual 
destruction; seeking every opportunity to beat up each 
others' quarters, and to kill or capture all who are found 
in arms. This is to be considered as a very hazardous 
situation; it requires the utmost vigilance to guard against 
a surprise. Major Trescott is an excellent disciplinarian, 
an active, vigilant officer, and well acquainted with his 
duty. A party of volunteers collected here on horseback, 
for a secret expedition, and by their earnest request Major 
Trescott marched in the night with a party to cover their 
retreat, and to take any advantage which might offer. 
The party returned the next day with six tory prisoners, 
three of whom were wounded by the broad-sword. One 
of our volunteers, named Hunt, received a dangerous 
wound through his shoulder and lungs, the air escaped 
from the wound at every breath. Dr. Eustis came to the 
lines, and dilated the wound in the breast, and as the 
patient is athletic and has not sustained a very copious loss 
of blood, he recommended repeated and liberal blood let- 
ting, observing that, in order to cure a wound through the 
lungs, you must bleed your patient to death. He event- 
ually recovered, which is to be ascribed principally to the 
free use of the lancet and such abstemious living as to 
reduce him to the greatest extremity. A considerable 
number of wounded prisoners receive my daily attention. 

A gentleman volunteer, by name Eequaw, received a 
dangerous wound, and was carried into the British lines ; 
I was requested by his brother to visit him, under the 
sanction of a flag of truce, in company with Dr. White, 
who resides in this vicinity. This invitation I cheerfully 



256 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 

accepted, and Mr. Requaw having obtained a flag from 
the proper authority, and procured horses, we set off in 
the morning, arrived at West Chester before evening, and 
dressed the wounded man. We passed the night at Mrs. 
Barstow's, mother-in-law of Dr. W. She has remained 
at her farm between the lines during the war, and being 
friendly to our interest, has received much abusive treat- 
ment from the royalists. We are treated in the most 
friendly manner, and her daughter, a sensible, well-edu- 
cated girl, entertained us in conversation till one o'clock 
in the morning, relating numerous occurrences and inci- 
dents of an interesting nature respecting the royal party. 
The next day we visited our patient again, paid the neces- 
sary attention, and repaired to a tavern, where I was gra- 
tified with an interview with the much-famed Colonel 
Delancy, who commands the refugee corps. He conducted 
with much civility, and having a public dinner prepared 
at the tavern, he invited us to dine with him and his 
officers. After dinner, Colonel Delancy furnished us with 
a permit to return with our flag; we rode ten miles, and 
took lodgings in a private house. Here we were informed 
that six of our men, having taken from the refugees thirty 
head of cattle, were overtaken by forty of Delancy's corps, 
and were all killed but one, and the cattle retaken. In 
the morning, breakfasted with a friendly Quaker family, 
in whose house was one of our men, who had been wound- 
ed when four others were killed; we dressed his wounds, 
which were numerous and dangerous. In another house, 
we saw four dead bodies, mangled in a most inhuman 
manner by the refugees, and among them one groaning 
under five wounds on his head, two of them quite through 
his skull-bone with a broad sword. This man was capable 
of giving us an account of the murderer of his four com- 
panions. They surrendered, and begged for life; but their 
entreaties were disregarded, and the swords of their cruel 
foes were plunged into their bodies so long as signs of life 
remained. We found many friends to our cause, who 
reside on their farms between the lines of the two armies, 
whose situation is truly deplorable, being continually ex- 
posed to the ravages of the tories, horse-thieves, and Cow- 
boys, who rob and plunder them without mercy, and the 
personal abuse and punishments which they inflict, is 




OEJ^EIiAL WADSWORTH AJ^D SOJ\r. P. 238. 




COUJ\rT DE. ORASSE. P. 274. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 257 

almost incredible — the particulars of which have been 
already noticed, page 238. 

On the 4th of this month, the grand confederation and 
perpetual union of the Thirteen American States, from 
New Hampshire to Georgia, inclusive, was signed and 
ratified by all the delegates in Congress. This instrument 
has long been a subject of discussion and consideration 
by the several states, and. by some, considerable opposi- 
tion has been maintained against it, which has impeded 
its ratification. It consists of thirteen articles, entitled 
'"^Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union between the 
Thirteen American States.'''' By this instrument, each state 
retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and the 
states severally enter into a firm league of friendship with 
each other for their common defence, the security of their 
liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, &c., &c. 

April. — I received orders to return to the highlands 
near West Point, to inoculate the troops with the small- 
pox. Dined with Colonel Scammel, on my route, with a 
number of gentlemen. 

lltJi. — Crossed the Hudson, to the hospital at Robinson's 
house, and passed the night with Dr. Eustis; the next 
day accompanied him to Peekskill to visit the family of 
Colonel Laurence, who are under inoculation with the 
small-pox, thence to the quarters of Colonel Scammel and 
Dr. Findlay, returned to the hospital at night, and the 
next day crossed with Dr. Eustis to West Point, and dined 
at General Heath's quarters. 

20th. — A soldier was hanged to-day for desertion, and 
another was pardoned under the gallows with a rope 
round his neck. 

All the soldiers, with the women and children, who 
have not had the smal!-pox, are now under inoculation. 
Of our regiment, one hundred and eighty-seven were sub- 
jects of the disease. The old practice of previous prepa- 
ration by a course of mercury and low diet, has not been 
adopted on this occasion; a single dose of jalap and calo- 
mel, or of the extract of butternut, juglans cinerea^ is in 
general administered previous to the appearance of the 
symptoms. As to diet, we are so unfortunate as to be 
destitute of the necessar}' comfortable articles of food, and 
tliey subsist ])rincipanj" on ihsir common rations of bcci". 



258 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1781. 

bread and salt pork, A small quantity of rice, sugar, or 
molasses, and tea are procured for those who are danger- 
ously sick. Some instances have occurred of putrid fever 
supervening, either at the first onset or at the approach 
of the secondary stage, and a few cases have terminated 
fatally. Many of our patients were improper subjects for 
the disease, but we were under the necessity of inoculating 
all, without exception, whatever might be their condition 
as to health. Of five hundred who have been inoculated, 
four only have died, but in other instances the proportion 
of deaths is much more considerable. The extract of 
butternut is made by boihng down the inner bark of the 
tree ; the discovery of this article is highly important, and 
it may be considered as a valuable acquisition to our ma- 
teria medica. The country people have for some time been 
in the practice of using it, and Dr. Rush, who was for a 
short period at the head of our hospital department, has 
recommended the employment of it among our patients, 
as a mild yet sufficiently active cathartic, and a valuable 
and economical substitute for jalap. It operates without 
creating heat or irritation, and is found to be efficacious 
in cases of dysentery and bilious complaints. As the but- 
ternut-tree abounds in our country, we may obtain at a 
very little expense a valuable domestic article of medicine. 
Though there is much reason to suppose that our own soil 
is prolific in remedies adapted to the diseases of our 
country, the butternut is the only cathartic deserving of 
confidence which we have yet discovered. 

SOth. — Dined at West Point with Dr. Thomas, and 
accompanied him to General Patterson's quarters: the 
general humorously apologized, that he could afford us 
nothing better than a miserable glass of whiskey grog. 
Passed the river to the hospital. Dr. Eustis being indis- 
posed, he requested me to bleed him, and I passed the 
night at the Point. 

Intelligence has reached us that Brigadier-General Peleg 
Wadsworth, who commanded a detachment of militia at 
a place called Camden, in the province of Maine, has been 
surprised and taken prisoner, in the night, by a party of 
British soldiers, sent for this purpose fi-om their post at 
Penobscot. It is added, that the general defended him- 
self in the most daring and spirited manner till he received 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 259 

a wound, and was entirely overpowered. See particulars 
of this extraordinary affair in the Appendix. 

I accompanied Dr. John Hart to New Windsor, to pay 
our respects to Dr. John Cochran, who is lately promoted 
to the office of director-general of tne hospitals of the 
United States, as successor to Dr. Shippen, resigned. We 
dined with Dr. Cochran, in company with Drs. Eustis and 
S. Adams. Dr. Cochran, is a native of Pennsylvania. 
He served in the office of surgeon's-mate in the hospital 
department during the war between the English and 
French, which commenced in America in 1775, and left 
the service with the reputation of an able and experienced 
practitioner. From that time to this, he has devoted him- 
self to his professional pursuits in New Jersey, and has 
been eminently distinguished as a practitioner in medicine 
and surgery. Finding his native country involved in a 
war with Great Britain, his zeal and attachment to her 
interest impelled him to the theatre of action, and he prof- 
fered his services as a volunteer in the hospital department. 
General Washington, justly appreciating his merit and 
character, recommended him to Congress, by whom he 
was in April, 1777, appointed physician and surgeon-gen- 
eral in the middle department He is now promoted to the 
ofi&ce of director-general of the hospitals of the United 
States.* Dr James Craig, who now succeeds Dr. Cochran, 
as surgeon and physician-general, was also employed in 
the P'rench war of 1759, with General Washington, who 

* Not long after the close of the war, Dr. Cochran removed with his 
family to New York, where he attended to the duties of his profession, 
till the adoption of the new constitution, when his friend, President 
Washington, retaining, to use his own words, "a cheerful recollection of 
his past services," nominated him to the office of commissioner of loans 
for the state of New York. This office he held till a paralytic stroke 
disabled him in some measure from the discharge of its duties, on 
which he gave in his resignation, and retired to Palatine, in the county 
of Montgomery, where he terminated a long and useful life, on the 6th 
of April, 1807, in the 77th year of his age. 

"He united a vigorous mind and correct judgment with information 
derived and improved from long experience, and faithful habits of atten- 
tion to the duties of his profession." He possessed the pure and in- 
flexible principles of patriotism, and his integrity was unimpeachable. 
It is gratifying to have this opportunity of expressing a respectful recol- 
lection of his urbanity and civilities, and of affording this small tribute 
to his cherished memory. 



200 MfLITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 

held the office of major, and when a mutual attachment 
was formed between them. 

By intelligence from our army of the south, under 
command of Major-General Greene, affairs in that quarter 
are exceedingly unpropitious and discouraging. The 
troops are so destitute of clothing, that their footsteps are 
marked with blood for want of shoes ; their food consists, 
part of the time, of rice, with frogs from ponds and ditches, 
and sometimes of peaches and berries. When they obtain 
a small supply of beef, it is so miserably poor as scarcely 
to be eatable. The army is continually harassed in march- 
ing through the country, sometimes executing successful 
and honorable exploits, and again compelled to retreat be- 
fore a victorious enemy with hair-breadth escapes. Never 
perhaps were opposing commanders more equally matched 
than General Greene and Lord Cornwallis, though the 
former is almost constantly laboring under the disad- 
vantage of inferiority of numbers and of physical force. 
General Greene communicates to Congress an account of 
a very obstinate and bloody battle fought by the two 
armies at Guilford court-house. North Carolina, a few weeks 
since. Our commander was compelled to yield to his 
adversary, but it is a victory purchased at a ruinous price. 
Seven days after the action, General Greene writes that 
Cornwallis' troops were too much galled to improve their 
success, that he had been preparing for another action, 
expecting the enemy to advance, but of a sudden they 
took their departure, and left behind them evident, marks 
of distress. All the wounded at Guilford who had fallen 
into their hands, and seventy of their own, too ill to be 
moved, were left behind. Most of their officers suffered; 
Lord Cornwallis had his horse shot under him. Colonel 
Stuart, of the guards, was killed. General O'Hara and 
Colonels Tarleton and Webster wounded. Their whole 
loss is reported to be six hundred and sixty-three, exclu- 
sive of officers. General Greene returned three hundred 
and twenty-nine killed, wounded and missing; many of 
the latter went to their homes after the action. General 
Stevens and Huger were wounded. 

A large detachment of British troops and refugees em- 
barked at New York some time since, bound on an expe- 
dition to Virginia, under the command of the infamous 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 261 

traitor Arnold. He took possession of Portsmouth, on 
James river, where they are employed in ravaging and 
rifling the plantations, and destroying public and private 
property. Another body of royalists has lately been sent 
from New York, under Major-General Phillips, who, now 
having the chief command of the British in Virginia, 
united with Arnold in a predatory warfare. General 
Phillips died soon after, and Arnold again resumed the 
command. The Marquis de la Fayette, with a command 
of about one thousand five hundred light-infantry, de- 
tached from our main army, is on his march to Virginia, 
where he is to join a body of continentals and militia under 
Baron Steuben and General Muhlenburg, for the purpose 
of protecting that country from the depredations of the 
enemy. 

The continental army in Carolina, were successful after 
the action of Guilford, and gained the ascendency in that 
quarter over the British. On the lOth of May, Lord Raw- 
don evacuated Camden with precipitation, leaving behind 
three of his officers and fifty privates, who had been dan- 
gerously wounded, and were unable to be removed. He 
burned the stores, baggage, &c., and left the town a heap 
of ruins. The next day the strong post of Orangeburg 
surrendered to General Sumpter. One colonel, several 
other officers, and eighty rank and file were made prison- 
ers. Next followed, on the 12th, Fort Motte, the garrison 
consisting of nineteen officers and one hundred and sixty 
men, who surrendered to General Marion, as did also Fort 
Granby, on the 14th, to Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, when one 
lieutenant-colonel, two majors, six captains, six lieutenants, 
three ensigns, one surgeon, and three hundred and thirty- 
three rank and file, became his prisoners. Large quantities 
of provisions and some military stores were found in sev- 
eral of the forts, and in the baggage belonging to the 
nineteenth regiment were found seven hundred guineas, 
which it is said General Greene distributed among his 
troops, as a reward for their bravery and sufferings. 

May. — The spirit of desertion appears to prevail to a 
considerable degree among both the British and Hessians 
at New York. Instances have been frequent for several 
months past of two or three coming out together. Some 
of them offer to engage in our service, but they are rejected 



262 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. 

and sent into the country, where they cannot effect any 
mischievous purpose. Deserters are always to be sus- 
pected, as they are not unfrequently employed as spies, 
who desert back again with intelligence for the enemy. 
Not long since, a Captain Simmons, of Delancy's corps, 
came over to our lines, and was sent up to West Point. 
He asserted that, being disaffected with the enemy on some 
pretences, he had resigned his commission and deserted 
from them; he was delivered over to the governor of the 
state. A few days since a groom belonging to an officer 
in the British service deserted with a valuable horse from 
his master, which he sold for one hundred dollars in specie. 

A party of continental troops, commanded by Colonel 
Christopher Greene, of Rhode Island, being stationed on 
our lines, near Croton river, were surprised by a party of 
the enemy, about sunrise on the 13th instant. They first 
attacked Colonel Greene's and Major Flagg's quarters, and 
killed the major while in bed. The colonel being badly 
wounded in the house, was carried into the woods and 
barbarously murdered. Two subalterns and twenty-seven 
privates were also killed, and a lieutenant and surgeon, 
with about twenty men, taken prisoners. This melancholy 
event is most deeply regretted ; Colonel Greene bravely 
distinguished himself in defence of Fort Mercer, at Red 
Bank, in October, 1777, and has ever been considered as 
a valiant and vigilant officer. He had taken post in a 
situation to guard a certain fording-place at Croton river, 
and had practised the greatest vigilance in the night time, 
calling off his guards at sunrise, on the idea that the enemy 
would not presume to cross in the day-time ; but the enemy 
having learned his mode of performing duty, effected their 
purpose by crossing the ford immediately after the guard 
had been withdrawn, and the surprise was so complete 
that no practicable defence could avail them. It will not 
be denied that an enemy may be justified in availing him- 
self of every opportunity of gaining an advantage over his 
antagonist, or that in some instances slaughter is unavoid- 
able ; but a wanton and unnecessary sacrifice of life is on 
all occasions to be deprecated as a disgraceful violation of 
the dictates of humanity. 

General Washington has performed a journey to Con- 
necticut, for the purpose of an interview with the Count 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. 263 

de Rochambeau, chief commander of the French troops, 
now at Rhode Island. The object of this interview is 
supposed to be the concerting of a system of measures to 
be pursued by the alhed army in the ensuing campaign. 

Private intelligence from a confidential source we un- 
derstand has been received at head-quarters, that a plan 
has been concerted in New York, to send out four parties 
— one to assassinate or take General "Washington; another, 
Governor Livingston, of New Jersey; a third. Governor 
Chnton, of the state of New York; and the object of the 
fourth is unknown. Measures will undoubtedly be adopted 
to guard against and defeat this singular enterprise. 

It has several times happened that an artful and enter- 
prising fellow, by the name of Moody, employed by the 
British in New York, has succeeded in taking our mail 
from the post-rider on the road, though he has had some 
very remarkable escapes. After the interview of General 
Washington and Count Rochambeau, the British were 
particularly desirous of obtaining intelligence relative to 
the result. Accordingly Moody was again despatched to 
eftect the object. Being perfectly well acquainted with 
the roads and passes, he waylaid the mail for some days 
in the Jerseys, till at length it was his good fortune to 
possess himself of that very mail which contained General 
Washington's despatches to Congress, communicating the 
information which was the object of their desires. This 
valuable prize he had the address to bear off to New 
York in safety. 

June 20th. — It is directed in general orders that the 
whole army at this place march and encamp at Peekskill, 
leaving the invalids and a small party to garrison West 
Point. One of the three divisions of the army is to pass 
the Hudson each day, till all have crossed. 

2'2d — Our division of the army crossed the Hudson at 
West Point-landing yesterday, and reached Peekskill at 
night. We have left our cantonments in a woody mount- 
ain, affording a romantic and picturesque scenery of nature 
clothed in her wild and winter attire, having scarcely the 
appearance of vegetation. A splendid world is now open 
to our view, all nature is in animation — the fields and 
meadows display the beauties of spring, a pleasing variety 
of vegetables and flowers perfume the air, and the charm- 



2(34 MILITAEY JODKNAL, 1781, 

ing music of the feathered tribe delights our ears. But 
there is a contrast in music. What can compare with that 
martial band, the drum and fife, bugle-horn and shrill 
trumpet, which set the war-horse in motion, thrill through 
every fibre of the human frame, still the groans of the 
dying soldier, and stimulate the living to the noblest deeds 
of glory? The full roll of the drum, which salutes the 
commander-in-chief, the animating beat, which calls to 
arms for the battle, the reveille, which breaks our slum- 
bers at dawn of day, with " come, strike your tents, and 
march away," and the evening tattoo, which commands to 
retirement and repose ; these form incomparably the most 
enchanting music that has ever vibrated on my ear. 

2Sd. — The army is now concentrated to a point in this 
place, and encamped in two lines, and in the same regular 
order that the troops usually form in a line of battle, oc- 
cupying a very large extent of ground, and covering fields 
of corn, grain and meadows. Our brigade is stationed on' 
the left of the second line. The campaign is now about 
to be opened, and we expect in a few days that the 
French army will form a junction with us to cooperate 
with our troops. 

July 1st. — A division of our French allies are on their 
march from Ehode Island, to unite with us in the service 
of the campaign. Great preparations are continually 
making for some important operation, and it is in general 
conjectured that the object of the campaign is to besiege 
New York. We are ordered to have four days' provisions 
cooked, and to march at three o'clock in the morning, 
leaving all our baggage behind, except a single blanket to 
each man. It is remarkable that we have so much as four 
days' provisions on hand. 

5th. — The reveille beat at three o'clock on the 2d instant, 
when we marched, and reached Tarrytown in the evening; 
the weather being extremely hot, the troops were much 
fatigued. Halted at Tarrytown about two hours, and then 
proceeded; marched all night, and at sunrise arrived 
within two miles of the enemy's works at King's-bridge. 
Having halted about two hours, a firing of cannon and 
musketry was heard in front, and we were informed that 
a party of our troops had engaged the enemy, and we were 
ordered to advance rapidly to their assistance ; but before 



, MILITARY JOUENAL, 17S1. 265 

we could reach the scene of action, the enemy had retired 
within their strong works. A detachment of continental 
troopsj under command of Major-General Lincoln, went 
down the North river in boats in the night, to attack the 
enemy by surprise, or to draw them out to a distance from 
their works, to afford an opportunity to the commander- 
in-chief to engage them in the field; but this object could 
not be accomplished, and a skirmish only ensued, in which 
both parties suffered some loss, and General Lincoln 
brought off ten prisoners. We took our repose for the 
night in the open field, and our tents and baggage having 
arrived the next day, we pitched our encampment in two 
lines, on the most advantageous ground, within a few 
miles of the outposts of the enemy. The French army, 
under General Rochambeau, have arrived and encamped 
at a small distance on the left of the Americans. 

The French legion of dragoons and infantry, under 
command of the Duke de Luzerne, arrived, and took their 
station near our encampment, and appear in true military 
style; they are a fine looking corps, full of military ardor, 
and, in conjunction with Colonel Sheldon's dragoons, 
much important service is expected. 

1th. — Our army was drawn up in a line, and reviewed 
by General Rochambeau, commander-in-chief of the French 
army, with his Excellency General Washington and other 
general officers. 

IQth. — Another review took place in presence of the 
French ambassador, from Philadelphia; after which, the 
French army passed a review in presence of the general 
officers of both armies. 

13^/i. — Notwithstanding the active bustle which attends 
our present situation, I received an invitation, with a 
number of officers of our regiment, to dine with a party 
of French officers in their camp. We were politely re- 
ceived under an elegant marquee: our entertainment con- 
sisted of excellent soup, roast-beef, &c., served in French 
style. The gentlemen appear desirous of cultivating an 
acquaintance with our officers, but being ignorant of each 
others' language, we can enjoy but little conversation. 
The French army exhibit their martial array to the great- 
est advantage. In the officers we recognize the accom- 
plished gentlemen, free and affable in their manners. Their 



2gg MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

military dress and side-arms are elegant; the troops are 
under the strictest discipline, and are amply provided with 
arms and accoutrements, which are kept in the neatest 
order; they are in complete uniform, coats of white broad- 
cloth, trimmed with green, and white under-dress, and on 
their heads they wear a singular kind of hat or chapeau. 
It is unlike our cocked hats in having but two corners 
instead of three, which gives them a very novel appear- 
ance. It has been remarked, to their honor, that during 
their march from Newport to join our army, their course 
has been marked with the most exemplary order and 
regularity, committing no depredations, but conducting 
towards the inhabitants on their route with great civility 
and propriety. We now greet them as friends and allies, 
and they manifest a zealous determination to act in unison 
with us against the common enemy. This conduct must 
have a happy tendency to eradicate from the minds of the 
Americans their ancient prejudices against the French 
people. They punctually paid their expenses in hard 
money, which made them acceptable guests wherever they 
passed ; and, in fact, the large quantity of solid coin which 
they brought into the United States, is to be considered as 
of infinite importance at the present period of our affairs. 

16th. — Two of the British frigates and several smaller 
vessels passed up the North river as far as Tarrytown, in 
defiance of our cannon, which were continually playing 
on them. Their object appears to be, to seize some of our 
small vessels which are passing down the river with sup- 
plies for our army. One small sloop, loaded with bread 
for the French army, has fallen into their hands. 

17th. — A fine corps of light-infantry, selected from the 
several New England regiments, is now formed, and put 
under the immediate command of Colonel Alexander 
Scammel, formerly our adjutant-general. This select corps, 
consisting of the most active and soldierly young men and 
officers, is intended to march in advance of the main army, 
constantly prepared for active and hazardous service. 
Colonel Scammel was indulged the liberty of choosing 
his own officers, rejecting those whom he deemed untit 
for his enterprising purpose. According to regular detail, 
it fell to the lot of Dr. C. to act as surgeon to this corps ; 
but it was the doctor's misfortune to have one blink eye, 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 267 

and not being perfectly active, Colonel Scammel objected 
to him, and desired that he might be exchanged for one 
more competent to the duties of the service. In conse- 
quence of this, I received a billet from Dr. James Craig, 
chief physician and surgeon to the army, requesting me to 
repair to the detachment immediately, and take the place 
of Dr. C. Colonel Jackson, unwilling to have his regiment 
left destitute of a surgeon, strongly protested against it; 
but Colonel Scammel was strenuous, and finally prevailed, 
and I now enjoy the honor of officiating as surgeon to a 
fine corps of infantry, commanded by an officer of the first 
military reputation. Dr. Munson, of the Connecticut line, 
is my mate; and the medical duties of Colonel Jackson's 
regiment devolve on Dr. Francis le Baron Goodwin, sur- 
geon's mate, during my absence. 

19ik. — The British frigates that passed up the North 
river a few days since, took the advantage of wind and 
tide to return to New York. A severe cannonade com- 
menced from our battery at Dobbs' ferry, where the river 
is about three miles wide, and they were compelled to run 
the gauntlet. They returned the fire as they passed, but 
without effect. On board the Savage ship-of-vvar a box 
of powder took fire, and such was their consternation, that 
twenty people jumped into the river; among whom was 
a prisoner on board, who informs us that he was the only- 
man who got on shore, all the others being drowned. He 
reports also that the Savage was several times hulled by 
our shot, and was very near sinking. In the evening of 
the 21st, our army and the French were put in motion, 
marching with great rapidity through a thick, unfrequented 
wood and swamps, and through fields of corn and wheat. 
Passing through a swamp in the night, our rear-guard, 
with myself and Dr. Munson, lost sight of the main body 
of the army for more than an hour, and I got a severe fall 
from my horse. In the morning, we arrived near the 
enemy's post at Morrissania, but they had taken the alarm, 
and escaped to New York. Having continued there during 
the day, we retired in the evening about five or six miles, 
and lay on the hills near King's-bridge, where we remained 
unmolested till the night of the 23d, when we returned to 
our encampment. While near the enemy's lines, the army 
was drawn up in a line of battle, and General Washington, 



268 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 

General Eochambeau, and all the general officers and en- 
gineers, were employed in reconnoitering the different 
positions of the enemy's works in all directions. The 
position which we now occupy is the neutral ground be- 
tween the lines, a beautiful fertile country, and the roads 
and commons as well as the inclosures are loaded with 
grass, while the deserted houses in ruins, and the prostrate 
fences, exhibit the melancholy devastation of war. 

Blst. — Our detachment, under Colonel Scammel, march- 
ed last evening down to Phillips' house, near the enemy's 
works, on a foraging expedition. After our wagons were 
loaded, we retired into the woods, and lay in ambush, with 
the hope that the enemy would give us an opportunity 
to engage them, but they did not make their a])pearance. 

August VSth. — A most tremendous storm of rain came 
on last night, and continued almost incessantly ; about two 
o'clock in the morning, a sudden gust rent our tents asun- 
der, and whirled them about our ears, leaving us destitute 
of shelter, and most thoroughly drenched. 

15th. — A French soldier, who deserted, and was taken 
on his way to the enemy, was shot in the French camp. 

General orders are now issued for the army to ])re])are 
for a movement at a moment's notice. The real object of 
the allied armies the present campaign has become a sub- 
Inject of much speculation. Ostensibly an investment of 
the city of New York is in contemplation' — preparations 
in all quarters for some months past indicate this to be the 
object of our combined operations. The capture of this 
place would be a decisive stroke, and from the moment 
such event takes place, the English must renounce all 
hopes of subjugating the United States. But New York 
is well fortified both by land and water, and garrisoned 
by the best troops of Great Britain. The success of a 
siege must depend entirely on the arrival and cooperation 
of a superior French fleet. The enemy have a garrison 
on Staten Island, which is separated from Long Island 
only by a strait of two miles wide. The capture of this 
garrison would be a brilliant affair, and would essentially 
facilitate our operations against New York. General 
Washington and Count Eochambeau have crossed the 
North river, and it is supposed for the purpose of recon- 
noitering the enemy's posts from the Jersey shore. A 



MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1781. 269 

field for an extensive encampment has been marked out 
on the Jersey side, and a number of ovens have been 
erected and fuel provided for the purpose of baking bread 
for the army. From these combined circumstances we 
are led to conclude that a part of our besieging force is 
to occupy that ground. But General Washington pos- 
sesses a capacious mind, full of resources, and he resolves 
and matures his great plans and designs under an impen- 
etrable veil of secrecy, and while we repose the fullest 
confidence in our chief, our own opinions must be founded 
only on doubtful conjectures. The royal army at New 
York, have received a reinforcement of three thousand 
Germans from Europe. 

2Qth. — According to orders, we commenced our line of 
march yesterday, a party of pioneers being sent forward 
to clear the road towards King's-bridge, and we expected 
immediately to follow in that direction ; but an army is 
a machine, whose motions are directed by its chief When 
the troops were paraded for the march, they were ordered 
to the right about, and, making a retrograde movement 
up the side of the North river, we have reached King's- 
ferry, and are preparing to cross the Hudson at this ferry. 
Our allies are in our rear, and it is probable we are des- 
tined to occupy the ground on the Jersey side. 

'61st. — Colonel Laurens has arrived at head-quarters on 
his way from Boston to Philadelphia. This gentleman is 
the son of Mr. Henry Laurens, our ambassador to Holland, 
who is now confined in the tower of London. We have 
the pleasing information that he has brought with him 
from France a large sum of specie for the United States. 
He reports that the different powers of continental Europe 
are friendly to the cause in which we are engaged. 

Our situation reminds me of some theatrical exhibition, 
where the interest and expectations of the spectators are 
continually increasing, and where curiosity is wrought to 
the highest point. Our destination has been for some 
time matter of perplexing doubt and uncertainty; bets 
have run high on one side that we were to occupy the 
ground marked out on the Jersey shore, to aid in the siege 
of New York, and on the other, that we are stealing a 
march on the enemy, and are actually destined to Virginia, 
in pursuit of the army under Lord Cornwallis. We crossed 



270 MILITAEY JOUKNAL, 1781. 

at King's-ferry, 21st instant, and encamped at Haverstraw. 
A number of batteaux, mounted on carriages, have fol- 
lowed in our train, supposed for the purpose of convey- 
ing the troops over to Staten Island. 22d, Eesumed our 
line of march, passing rapidly through Paramus, Acquack- 
anack, Springdeld and Princeton. We have now passed 
all the enemy's posts, and are pursuing our route with in- 
creased rapidity towards Philadelphia; wagons have been 
prepared to carry the soldiers' packs, that they may press 
forward with greater facility. Our destination can no 
longer be a secret. The British army, under Lord Corn- 
wallis, is unquestionably the object of our present expe- 
dition. It is now rumored that a French fleet may soon 
be expected to arrive in Chesapeake bay, to cooperate 
with the allied army in that quarter. The great secret 
respecting our late preparations and movements can now 
be explained. It was a judiciously concerted stratagem, 
calculated to menace and alarm Sir Henry Clinton for the 
safety of the garrison of New York, and induce him to 
recall a part of his troops from Virginia, for his own de- 
fence; or, perhaps, keeping an eye on the city, to attempt 
its capture, provided that by the arrival of a French fleet, 
favorable circumstances should present. The deception 
has proved completely successful; a part of Cornwallis' 
troops are reported to have returned to New York. His 
Excellency General Washington, having succeeded in a 
masterly piece of generalship^ has now the satisfaction of 
leaving his adversary to ruminate on his own mortifying 
situation, and to anticipate the perilous fate which awaits 
his friend, Lord Cornwallis, in a different quarter. Major 
General Heath is left commander-in-chief of our arm}' in 
the vicinity of New York and the highlands, and the 
menacing aspect of an attack on New York will be con- 
tinued till time and circumstances shall remove the delu- 
sive veil from the eyes of Sir Henry Clinton, when it will 
probably be too late to afford succour to Lord Cornwallis. 
To our officers, the inactivity of the royal army in New 
York is truly unaccountable: they might, without risk- 
ing a great deal, harass our army on its march, and sub- 
ject us to irreparable injury; but the royalists are more 
dexterous in availing themselves of treachery and insur- 
rection, than in effecting valorous achievements. In pass- 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 271 

ing through Princeton, but little time was allowed me to 
visit the college. This once celebrated seminary is now 
destitute of students, and the business of education is 
entirely suspended in consequence of the constant bustle 
and vicissitudes of war. The little village of Princeton 
is beautifully situated, and the college edifice is of stone, 
four stories high, and lighted by twenty-five windows in 
front in each story. It has suffered considerable injury 
in being occupied alternately by the soldiers of the two 
contending armies. Trenton, where we are now encamped 
for the night, is a much more considerable village, and 
more advantageously situated, on the north-eastern bank 
of the Delaware, twenty-seven miles above Philadelphia. 
This is the town which General Washington has rendered 
famous to the latest times, by a victory in which he so 
happily displayed the resources of his genius, in the se- 
vere winter of 1776. Great indeed must be the resources 
of that man who can render himself the most formidable 
to an enemy, when apparently he is the most destitute 
of power. General Washington and Count Rochambeau 
having proceeded to Virginia by land, Major-General Lin- 
coln takes the command of our troops, and the Baron de 
Viomenil those of the French. 

September 8th. — We crossed the Delaware river at Tren- 
ton ferry on the 1st instant, and in the afternoon crossed 
a small river at Shammany's rope ferry. Our boats were 
pulled across with facility by a rope made fast at each 
shore. W^e marched nineteen miles, and encamped at a 
place called Lower Dublin. 2d, In the afternoon, marched 
through the city of Philadelphia. The streets being ex- 
tremely dirty, and the weather warm and dry, we raised 
a dust like a smothering snow-storm, blinding our eyes 
and covering our bodies with it; this was not a little mor- 
tifying, as the ladies were viewing us from the open win- 
dows of every house as we passed through this splendid 
city. The scene must have been exceedingly interesting 
to the inhabitants; and, contemplating the noble cause in 
which we are engaged, they must have experienced in 
their hearts a glow of patriotism, if not emotions of mili- 
tary ardor. Our line of march, including appendages and 
attendants, extended nearly two miles. The general offi- 
cers and their aids, in rich military uniform, mounted on 



272 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 

noble steeds elegantly caparisoned, were followed by their 
servants and baggage. In the rear of every brigade were 
several field-pieces, accompanied by ammunition carriages. 
The soldiers marched in slow and solemn step, regulated 
by the drum and tife. In the rear followed a great num- 
ber of wagons, loaded with tents, provisions and other 
baggage, such as a few soldiers' wives and children ; though 
a very small number of these are allowed to encumber us 
on this occasion. The day following, the French troops 
marched through the city, dressed in complete uniform 
of white broadcloth, faced with green, and besides the 
drum and fife, they were furnished with a complete band 
of music, which operates like enchantment.'^ 

* The following is extracted from letters published by a French cler- 
gyman, in Count Rochambeau's army: 

"The arrival of the French army at Philadelphia was more like a 
triumph, than simply passing through the place; the troops made a halt 
about a quarter of a league from the city, and in an instant were dressed 
as elegantly as ever the soldiers of a garrison were on a day of review; 
they then marched through the town, with the military music playing 
before them, which is always particularly pleasing to the Americans; the 
streets were crowded with people, and the ladies appeared at the win- 
dows in their most brilliant attire. All Philadelphia was astonished to 
see people who had endured the fatigues of a long journey, so ruddy and 
handsome, and even wondered that there could possibly be Frenchmen 
of so genteel an appearance. 

"The troops next marched in single file before the Congress and M. le 
Chevalier de la Luzerne, minister from the court of France, and after- 
wards encamped in a large plain contiguous to the river Schuylkill. The 
next day after our arrival, the regiment of Soissonnais went through the 
exercise of fire-arms; at least twenty thousand persons, and avast num- 
ber of carriages, remarkable for their lightness and elegance, added to 
the lustre of this exhibition, which was still heightened by the pleasant- 
ness of the situation and the remarkable serenity of the day. The ra- 
pidity of the military evolutions, the soldierly appearance oi" the troops 
in general, and the exactness of their motions, surprised and enraptured 
Ihe beholders. 

" We were a good deal amused with a mistake of some of the common 
people, who took for a general one of those alert fellows whom our 
commanding officers commonly have in their retinue to run up and down 
to carry their written orders. His short, tiglit-bodied coat, his rich waist- 
coat, with a silver fringe, his rose-colored shoes, his cap, adorned with a 
coat-of-arnis, and his cane, with an enormous head — all appeared to them 
so many tokens of extraordinary dignity. Though he approached his 
master, the coh)nel-commandant, merely to receive and publish his 
orders, they imagined that he gave them of his own accord, and directed 
the movements of the troops, ijidependently of any superior. 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. 273 

Sd. — We crossed the river Schuylkill, over a floating 
bridge, and encamped four miles from Philadelphia, where 
we continued through the day, to give the men time to 
rest and wash their clothes. 4th, Marched through Wil- 
mington, eighteen miles. This is a handsome, flourishing 

" The President of Congress, the Honorable Thomas McKean, Esquire, 
in a suit of black velvet, honored this review with his presence. These 
honest Pennsylvanians differ very considerably from us in the ceremonies 
of dress, as we differ from them again in our modes of legislation. 

"The manoeuvres of our troops raised the most flattering expectations 
in the minds of the spectators; and they did not hesitate to declare that 
such soldiers were invincible. 

"This day was destined for fiivorable omens. M. le Chevalier de la 
Luzerne, who on this occasion received his countrymen with the dignity 
and generosity of the representative of a great monarch, and the frank- 
ness and cordiality of an individual, after the review, invited all the 
officers to dine with him. Hardly were we seated at the table, when 
an express arrived; a disquieting silence immediately seized every guest 
— our eyes were fixed on the Chevalier de la Luzerne, every one endeav- 
oring to guess what the message would turn out to be — 'Thirty-six 
ships of the line,' said he, ' commanded by Monsieur le Comte de Grasse, 
are arrived in Chesapeake bay, and three thousand men have landed, 
and opened a communication with the Marquis de la Fayette.' Joy and 
good-humor immediately resumed their place on every countenance. 
Our impatient leaders began to count the days, and reckon how long it 
would be before they could have it in their power to face the enemy, 
and their heated imaginations made the time much shorter than it after- 
wards proved to be. Healths were next drank ; and that of the minister 
of the marine of France was not forgotten, whose activity and great 
abilities have paved the way to the most brilliant successes of our fleet; 
the presence of his son, M. le Comte de Chartre, second colonel of the 
regiment of Saintonge, added still more to our pleasure and satisfaction. 

"Among others, Charles Thomson, the Secretary of Congress, the 
soul of that political body, came also to receive and present his compli- 
ments. His meagre figure, furrowed countenance, his hollow, sparkling 
eyes, his white strait hair, that did not hang quite so low as his ears, 
fixed our thorough attention, and filled us with surprise and admiration. 

"The important news of the arrival of Count de Grasse was soon 
spread throughout the city, and echoes of joy were heard from every 
quarter; some merry fellows, mounted on scaffolds and stages, pro- 
nounced funeral orations for Cornwallis, and uttered lamentations on 
the grief and distress of the tories. The people ran in crowds to the 
residence of the minister of France; and ' Lung live Louis the Sixteenth /' 
was the general cry. 

"Thus you see the people are universally persuaded of the success of 
this expedition. Could these flattering hopes be realized, they would 
hasten a peace, which in our situation, and under the wise and "benevo- 
lent prince that governs us, would place France in a point of view that 
has been wholly unknown since the existence of her monarchy." 



274 MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. 

village^ situated on the Delaware river, on a small branch 
of which is erected eight very large and valuable stone 
mills, where an immense quantity of wheat is ground and 
bolted. The wheat is brought in vessels to the very door, 
and the flour taken off in return. The Eev. Mr. Smith, 
minister of this place, and Dr. Smith, his brother, politely 
introduced themselves to me, and I took tea and spent the 
evening at Dr. Smith's, in social friendship. Marched 
again on the 5th, and on the 6th arrived at the head of 
Elk river, Maryland, in the morning, having completed a 
march of two hundred miles in fifteen days. 

An express has now arrived from Virginia, with the 
pleasing intelligence that Count de Grasse has actually 
arrived at the mouth of the Chesapeake bay, with a fleet 
of thirty-six ships of the line, and three thousand land 
forces, which are landed, and have joined our troops under 
the Marquis de la Faj^ette, in Virginia. 

The royal army, under Lord Cornwallis, has taken post 
in Yorktown, situated on York river, in Virginia, where 
he has constructed strong fortifications for his defence; 
but his communication by water is now entirely cut off by 
several French ships stationed at the mouth of the river. 
Preparation is constantly making for our troops and our 
allies who have arrived here, to embark at the head of Elk 
river, whence we shall proceed down the Chesapeake bay 
to Yorktown, in pursuit of the object of our expedition. 
About eighty vessels are in readiness, great activity pre- 
vails, embarkation has commenced, and our horses are 
sent round to Virginia by land. It falls to my lot to take 
passage on board a small schooner, with four other officers 
and sixty men. She is so deeply laden with cannon, 
mortars and other ordnance, that our situation will be 
attended with considerable danger, if rough weather 
should overtake us. 

11th. — Sailed at four o'clock P. M. on board the schooner 
Glasco, beat against contrary wind down the Elk river, 
and at sun-rise next morning entered the head of the great 
Chesapeake ba}'', eighteen miles from the place of embark- 
ation. The bay at its entrance is six or seven miles wide, 
and has two rivers which empty into it on the west side — 
the North-east river and the great Susquehanna, which 
takes its origin at Lake Otsego, six hundred miles from 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 275 

this bay. Another river, called Sassafras, which empties 
into the bay on the east side, is navigable to Georgetown, 
twelve miles. Pool's Island affords a romantic prospect, 
being about two miles long, and three-quarters of a mile 
wide, supporting two families. About twelve miles further 
down, the bay. widens to about ten miles, and on the west 
side iis the river Patapsco; at the head of which, twelve 
miles from its mouth, stands the town of Baltimore, which 
admits large ships into its capacious and convenient liarbor. 
Nearly opposite to this, Chester river empties into the bay 
on the eastern shore, and is navigable fifty miles. 

The town of Annapolis, the metropolis of Maryland, is 
situated on the western shore at the mouth of the river 
Severn, where it falls into the bay. We came to anchor 
in the harbor at sun-setting, and I accompanied several 
officers to the coffee-house, and partook of a handsome 
supper. A very severe shower of rain, with high winds 
and extreme darkness, obliged us to spend the night on 
shore. On the 13th, we returned on board at seven o'clock, 
and proceeded on our voyage before a fresh gale, but had 
not sailed more than four miles, when we were recalled 
by express to the harbor of Annapolis. This is in conse- 
quence of intelligence of a naval action between the British 
and French fleets near the mouth of the Chesapeake bay. 
Our safety requires that we should remain in port till the 
event of the battle is known. Should the British have 
obtained the victory, and should they get possession of 
the Chesapeake bay, we shall be unable to proceed on our 
voyage, and our expedition will be entirely defeated. 
Annapolis is a very inconsiderable city, but the buildings 
are chiefly of brick, and many of them are in a style of 
elegance and grandeur. The state-house, in the centre of 
the city, is a most splendid and magnificent piece of arch- 
itecture; it is topped with a handsome dome; the several 
apartments are finished in a style surpassing every thing 
which I have before witnessed. The archives for the se- 
curity of the public records are fire-proof. It is remarkable 
that there is not a church in the city, though they have an 
ordinary building which they occupy for a theatre. We 
were treated with much politeness and hospitality, and 
received an invitation to dine at the house of a respectable 
gentleman. In the evening we attended the theatre, and 



276 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 

were entertained by a Mr. Wall, who exhibited Stepbeus' 
Lecture on Heads, greatly to the amusement of the audi- 
ence ; after which, Mrs. Wall exhibited a variety of amus- 
ing scenes, and her little daughter, c^'' seven years of age, 
spoke an epilogue, and sung several songs to the admira- 
tion of all present. 

Information has just reached us that after General Arnold 
had returned from his depredating expedition to^Virginia, 
he was despatched on a new incursion to Connecticut, his 
native state. His force consisted of two thousand infantry 
and three hundred cavalry, accompanied by forty sail of 
ships and transports. He landed his troops at the mouth 
of New London harbor, and proceeded to the town. Fort 
Trumbull not being tenable, was soctfi evacuated by our 
people, but Fort Griswold on the other side of the river 
was courageously defended by Colonel Ledyard and a few 
mihtia-men hastily collected. The assault on this fort was 
made b}" Colonel Eyre, who was three or four times re- 
pulsed, and finally received himself a mortal wound; and 
Major Montgomery being killed, the command devolved 
on Major Bromfield, who, by a superior force and much 
resolution, carried the place at the point of the bayonet. 
On entering the fort, the British officer inquiring who 
commanded, Colonel Ledyard answered, "I did, sir, but 
you do now," and presented him his sword as a prisoner, 
when the British officer plunged his sword into the body 
of Colonel Ledyard, and several soldiers assisted with, 
their baj-onets in despatching him. An indiscriminate 
slaughter by the bayonet of those who had surrendered 
immediately ensued, and seventy-three men were left dead 
in the fort, about forty wounded, and the same number 
taken prisoners. Arnold continued on the New London 
side, suffering the town to be plundered; and by a con- 
flagration, sixty dwelling-houses and eighty-four stores 
were entirely destroyed. The loss which we sustained 
was very considerable, consisting of vessels, naval -stores, 
European goods, provisions, &c., and not less than one 
hundred inhabitants were deprived of their habitations 
and all their property. The militia collected, and con- 
ducted with great spirit and alacrity in avenging the mur- 
der of their friends, and they hastened the retreat of the 
enemy, after the loss of two officers and forty-six rank and 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1781. 277 

file killed, and eiglit officers and one hundred and thirty- 
five rank and file wounded. It is reported that a wagon, 
loaded with their wounded soldiers, was put in motion 
from the top of a long and steep hill, which in its rapid 
course struck an apple-tree with such force that the faint 
and bleeding men received a shock which killed a part of 
them instantly. It is highly probable that Sir Henry 
Clinton projected this expedition to Connecticut, in the 
hope of diverting General Washington from his enterprise 
against Earl Cornwallis; but this manoeuvre will not 
effect his object. 

15th. — The gratifying intelligence is announced that the 
naval engagement between the two fleets has resulted in 
the defeat of the British with considerable loss, and the 
French have now the sole command of the Chesapeake 
bay. This event is of infinite importance, and fills our 
hearts with joy, as we can now proceed on our expedition. 

16th. — We. obeyed the signal for sailing, and passed 
Sharp's island, which is situated in the middle of the bay, 
two miles long and one wide; it supports four families. 
Sent one boat on shore, and procured some poultry and 
fruit. 18th, Passed the great Potomac, which divides the 
states of Maryland and Virginia. At its mouth it is about 
fifteen miles wide; it is navigable for large ships, up to 
Georgetown, which is one hundred and seventy miles dis- 
tant, on the Maryland shore, while the city of Alexandria 
is situated a few miles below it on the Virginia shore. 
The bay at this place is about thirty miles wide. The 
wind this afternoon has blown with all the violence of a 
gale; the bow of our vessel, in ploughing through the 
billows, is frequently brought under water, which keeps 
us in perpetual alarm. We passed York river on the 
western or Virginia shore, fifteen miles from the mouth of 
which stands Yorktown, where the royal army under Lord 
Cornwallis is posted, and which it is the object of our ex- 
pedition to capture. He is completely blockaded by three 
iVench ships of the line and several smaller armed vessels 
lying at the mouth of York river, 20th, Passed Hampton 
road, and entered James river, which is at its entrance 
about five miles wide. We enjoyed a distant view of the 
grand French fleet, riding at anchor at the mouth of the 
Chesapeake, consisting of thirty -six ships of w ar, besides 



278 MILITARY JOUENAL, 17S1. 

frigates and other armed vessels. This was the most noble 
and majestic spectacle I ever witnessed, and we viewed it 
with inexpressible pleasure, and the warmest gratitude was 
excited in every breast towards our great ally. 

22(/. — Reached the harbor between Jamestown and 
Williamsburg, where the greater part of our transports 
arrived in the course of the day, and the troops disem- 
barked and encamped on the banks of the river, within 
twelve miles of Yorktown. We now congratulated our- 
selves on having completed our voyage of three hundred 
and fifty miles, which, on account of contrary winds and 
detention at Annapolis, has occupied twelve days; vessels 
with troops are arriving every day. Jamestown is the 
place where the English first established themselves in 
Virginia, in 1607. Though the most ancient settlement in 
America, it cannot now be called a town, there being but 
two houses standing on the banks of the river. 25th, 
Marched from the landing-place through the city of AVil- 
liamsburg. This is the capital of Virginia, but in other 
respects is of little importance. It is situated on a level 
piece of land, at an equal distance between two small 
rivers, one of which falls into York, the other into James 
river. Tlie city is one mile and a quarter in length, and 
contains about two hundred and fifty houses. The main 
street is more than one hundred feet in width, and exactly 
one mile in length: at one of the extremities, and fronting 
the street, is the capitol, or state-house, a handsome edifice, 
and at_ the other end is the college, capable of accommo- 
dating three hundred students, but the tumult of war has 
broken up the institution. The college is about one hun- 
dred and thirty feet in length and forty in breadth, with 
two handsome wings, fifty by thirty. Their library is 
said to consist of about three thousand volumes. Near 
the centre of the city is a large church, and not far from 
it the palace, the usual residence of the governor, which 
is a splendid building. The water in this vicinity is ex- 
tremely brackish and disagreeable. This part of the state 
of Virginia is celebrated for the excellent tobacco which it 
produces, and this is their principal staple commodity, 
though the culture of cotton receives some attention. In- 
dian corn, hemp and flax, are also among the productions 
of this state. The population of Virginia is computed at 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. £79 

one hundred and fifty thousand whites, and five hundred 
thousand negro slaves. The labor, therefore, on the Vir- 
ginia plantations, is performed altogther by a species of 
the human race who have been cruelly wrested from their 
native country, and doomed to perpetual bondage, while 
their masters are manfully contending for freedom and 
the natural rights of man. Such is the inconsistency of 
human nature. Should Providence ordain that the Amer- 
icans shall be emancipated from thraldom, it should in 
gratitude be our praj'er that the African slavemay be per- 
mitted to participate in the blessings of freedom. 

21th. — We arrived at Yorktown yesterday from James- 
town, and have encamped within one mile of the enemy's 
line of redoubts. 

28/!A. — The French troops have arrived and encamped 
on our left. Yorktown is situated on the south bank of 
the river, about fifteen miles from its entrance into Ches- 
apeake bay. In this little village. Lord Cornwallis, with 
about seven thousand troops, has taken his station, and is 
endeavoring to fortify himself against the impending dan- 
ger of our combined operations. His communication by 
water is entirely cut oft" by the French ships of war sta- 
tioned at the mouth of the river, preventing both his escape 
and receiving succor from Sir Henry Clinton at New York. 
The allied army is about twelve thousand strong, exclusive 
of the militia, under Governor Nelson. The Americans 
form the right and the French the left wing of the com- 
bined forces, each extending to the borders of the river, 
by which the besiegers form a half-circle round the town. 
His Excellency General Washington commands in person, 
and is assisted by Major-General Lincoln, Baron Steuben, 
the Marquis de la Fayette, General Knox, &c. The French 
troops are commanded by General the Count Rochambeau, 
a brave and experienced oflicer, having under him a num- 
ber of ofiicers of distinguished character. Unbounded 
confidence is reposed in our illustrious commanders, the 
spirit of emulation and military ardor universally prevail, 
and we are sanguine in our expectations that a surrender 
of the royal army must be his lordship's fate. 

A cannonade commenced yesterday from the town, by 
which one man was wounded, and I assisted in amputating 
his leg. 30th, We are agreeably surprised this morning. 



280 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

to find that the enemy had, during the preceding night, 
abandoned three or four of their redoubts, and retired 
within the town, leaving a considerable extent of com- 
manding ground, which might have cost us much labor 
and many lives to obtain by force. Our light infantry 
and a party of French were ordered to advance and take 
possession of the abandoned ground, and to serve as a 
covering party to our troops who are employed in throw- 
ing up breastworks. Considerable cannonading from the 
besieged in the course of the day, and four militia-men 
were wounded by a single shot, one of whom died soon 
after. An occurrence has just been announced which fills 
our hearts with grief and sorrow. Colonel Alexander 
Scammel being officer of the day, while reconnoitering 
the ground which the enemy had abandoned, was surprised 
by a party of their horse, and after having surrendered, 
they had the baseness to inflict a wound which we fear 
will prove mortal ; they have carried him into Yorktown. 

October 1st and 2c?. — Our troops have been engaged in 
throwing up two redoubts in the night time; on discovery, 
the enemy commenced a furious cannonade, but it does 
not deter our men from going on vigorously with their 
work. Heavy cannon and mortars are continually arriving, 
and the greatest preparations are made to prosecute the 
siege in the most effectual manner. 

^d and 4:th.' — A considerable cannonading from the en- 
emy; one shot killed three men, and mortally wounded 
another. While the Rev. Mr. Evans, our chaplain, was 
standing near the commander-in-chief, a shot struck the 
ground so near as to cover his hat with sand. Being much 
agitated, he took off his hat, and said, "See here, general." 
"Mr. Evans," replied his excellency, with his usual com- 
posure, "you had better carry that home, and show it to 
your wife and children," Two soldiers from the French, 
and one from us, deserted to the enemy, and two British 
soldiers deserted to our camp the same night. The enemy 
from the want of forage are killing oft' their horses in 
great numbers; six or seven hundred of these valuable 
animals have been killed, and their carcases are almost 
continually floating down the river. The British are in 
possession of a place called Gloucester, on the north side 
of the river, nearly opposite Yorktown; their force con- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. . 281 

sists of one British regiment, and Colonel Tarleton's legion 
of horse and infantry. In opposition to this force the 
French legion, under the command of the Duke de Lu- 
zerne, and a detachment of French infantry and militia, 
are posted in that vicinity. Tarleton is a bold and impetu- 
ous leader, and has spread terror through the Carolinas 
and Virginia for some time past. In making a sally from 
Gloucester yesterday, they were attacked by the French, 
and defeated with the loss of the commanding officer of 
their infjmtry, and about fifty men killed and wounded ; 
among the latter is Tarleton himself. The duke lost three 
men killed, and two officers and eleven men wounded. It 
is with much concern we learn that Colonel Scammel died 
at Williamsburg, of the wound which he received a few 
days since, when he was taken prisoner; the wound was 
inflicted after he had surrendered. At the request of Gen- 
eral Washington, Lord Cornwallis allowed him to be car- 
ried to Williamsburg, where he died this day, universally 
lamented, as he was while living universally respected and 
esteemed. The commander-in-chief was well apprised of 
his merit, and bestowed on him marks of his friendly re- 
gard and confidence. For some time he sustained the 
office of adjutant-general to our army, but preferring a 
more active command and the post of danger, he was put 
at the head of a regiment of light-infantry for this enter- 
prising campaign. The British have sent from Yorktowh a 
large number of negroes, sick with the small-pox, probably 
for the purpose of communicating the infection to our 
army. Thus our inhuman enemies resort to every method 
in their power, however, barbarous or cruel, to injure and 
distress, and thus to gain an advantage over their opposers. 
Ttli. — A large detachment of the allied army, under 
command of Major-General Lincoln, were ordered out last 
evening for the purpose of opening intrenchments near 
the enemy's lines. This business was conducted with great 
silence and secrecy, and we were favored by Providence 
with a night of extreme darkness, and were not discovered 
before day-light. The working party carried on their 
shoulders fascines and intrenching tools, while a large part 
of the detachment was armed with the implements of death. 
Horses, drawing cannon and ordnance, and wagons loaded 
with bags filled with sand for constructing breastworks, 



282 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 

followed in the rear. Thus arranged, every officer and 
•soldier knowing his particular station, orders were given 
to advance in perfect silence, the distance about one mile. 
My station on this occasion was with Dr. Munson, my 
mate, in the rear of the troops; and as the music was not 
to be employed, about twenty drummers and fifers were 
put under my charge to assist me in case of having 
wounded men to attend. I put into the hands of a drum- 
mer, a mulatto fellow, my instruments, bandages, &c., with 
a positive order to keep at my elbow, and not lose sight 
of me a moment; it was not long, however, before I found 
to my astonishment that he had left me, and gone in pur- 
suit of some rum, carrying off the articles which are in- 
dispensable in time of action. In this very unpleasant 
predicament, unwilling to trust another, I hastened with 
all speed to the hospital, about one mile, to procure another 
supply from Dr. Craik; and he desired that if the Marquis 
de la Fayette should be wounded, I would devote to him 
my first attention. On my return I found Dr. Munson 
and my party waiting, but the troops had marched on and 
we knew not their route. We were obliged to follow at 
random, and in the darkness of night, hazarding our ap- 
proach to the enemy. Having advanced about half a mile, 
of a sudden a party of armed men in white uniform rose 
from the ground, and ordered us to stop ; they proved to 
be the rear-guard of the French. The officer demanded 
the countersign, which I was unable to give, and as we 
could not understand each others' language, I was detained 
under considerable embarrassment till an officer who could 
speak English was called, when producing my instruments 
and bandages, and assuring the French officer that I was 
surgeon to the infantry, he politely conducted me to my 
station. Our troops were indefatigable in their labors 
during the night, and before day-light they had nearly 
completed the first parallel line of nearly two miles in 
extent, besides laying a foundation for two redoubts, within 
about six hundred yards of the enemy's lines. At day-light 
the enemy, having discovered our works, commenced a se- 
vere cannonade, but our men being under cover, received 
no injury. A French soldier deserted to the enemy ; after 
which, there was a constant firing against the French lines, 
and one officer was killed, and fifteen men were killed or 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 283 

wounded. In the latter part of the night it rained severely, 
and being in the open field, cold and uncomfortable, I 
entered a small hut made of brush, which the enemy had 
abandoned. Soon after, a man came to the door, and, see- 
ing me standing in the centre, instantly drew his sword, 
and put himself in an attitude to plunge it into me. I 
called out friend, friend, and he as speedily, to my great 
joy, responded, "Ah, Monsieur, /he?K/," and returning his 
sword to its place, he departed. I think he was a French 
soldier, and it is doubtful whether he or myself was the 
most frightened. 

d>th and 9th. — The duty of our troops has been for sev- 
eral days extremely severe; our regiment labors in the 
trenches every other day and night, where I find it difiicult 
to avoid suffering by the cold, having no other covering 
than a single blanket in the open field. We erected a 
battery last night in front of our first parallel, without 
any annoyance from the enemy. Two or three of our 
batteries being now prepared to open on the town, his 
Excellency General Washington put the match to the 
first gun, and a furious discharge of cannon and mortars 
immediately followed, and Earl Cornwallis has received 
his first salutation. 

From the 10th to the 15th, a tremendous and incessant 
firing from the American and French batteries is kept up, 
and the enemy return the fire, but with little effect. A 
red-hot shell from the French battery set fire to the Charon, 
a British 44-gun ship, and .two or three smaller vessels at 
anchor. in the river, which were consumed in the night. 
From the bank of the river, I had a fine view of this 
splendid conflagration. The ships were enwrapped in a 
torrent of fire, which spreading with vivid brightness 
among the combustible rigging, and running with amazing 
rapidity to the tops of the several masts, while all around 
was thunder and lightning from our numerous cannon 
and mortars, and in the darkness of night, presented one 
of the most sublime and magnificent spectacles which can 
be imagined. Some of our shells, overreaching the town, 
are seen to fall into the river, and bursting, throw up 
columns of water like the spouting of the monsters of the 
deep. We have now made further approaches to the town, 
by throwing up a second parallel line, and batteries within 



284 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 

about three hundred yards; this was effected in the night, 
and at day-light the enemy were roused to the greatest 
exertions; the engines of war have raged with redoubled 
fury and destruction on both sides, no cessation day or 
night. The French had two officers wounded, and fifteen 
men killed or wounded, and among the Americans, two 
or three were wounded, I assisted in amputating a man's 
thigh. The siege is daily becoming more and more formi- 
dable and alarming, and bis lordship must view his situa- 
tion as extremely critical, if not desperate. Being in the 
trenches every other night and day, I have a fine opportu- 
nity of witnessing the sublime and stupendous scene which 
is continually exhibiting. The bomb-shells from the be- 
siegers and the besieged are incessantly crossing each 
others' path in the air. They are clearly visible in the 
form of a black ball in the day, but in the night, they ap- 
pear like a fiery meteor with a blazing tail, most beauti- 
fully brilliant, ascending majestically from the mortar to 
a certain altitude, and gradually descending to the spot 
where they are destined to execute their work of destruc- 
tion. It is astonishing with what accuracy an experi- 
enced gunner will make his calculations, that a shell shall 
fall within a few feet of a given point, and burst at the 
precise time, though at a great distance. When a shell 
falls, it whirls round, burrows, and excavates the earth to 
a considerable extent, and bursting, makes dreadful havoc 
around. I have more than once witnessed fragments of 
the mangled bodies and limbs of the British soldiers 
thrown into the air by the bursting of our shells; and by 
one from the enemy, Captain White, of the seventh Mas- 
sachusetts regiment, and one soldier were killed, and an- 
other wounded near where I was standing. About twelve 
or fourteen men have been killed or wounded within 
twenty-four hours ; I attended at the hospital, amputated 
a man's arm, and assisted in dressing a number of wounds. 
The enemy having two redoubts, about three hundred 
yards in front of their principal works, which enfiladed our 
intrenchment and impeded our approaches, it was resolved 
to take possession of them both by assault. The one on 
the left of the British garrison, bordering on the banks of 
the river, was assigned to our brigade of light-infantry, 
under the command of the Marquis de la Fayette. The 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. 285 

advanced corps was led on by the intrepid Colonel Ham- 
ilton, who had commanded a regiment of light-infantry 
during the campaign, and assisted by Colonel Gimat. The 
assault commenced at eight o'clock in the evening, and 
the assailants bravely entered the fort with the point of 
the bnyonet without firing a single gun. We suffered the 
loss of eight men killed, and about thirty wounded, among 
whom Colonel Gimat received a slight wound in his foot, 
and Major Gibbs, of his excellency's guard, and two other 
officers, were slightly wounded. Major Campbell, who 
commanded in the fort, was wounded and taken prisoner, 
with about thirty soldiers, the remainder made their escape 
I was desired to visit the wounded in the fort, even before 
the balls had ceased whistling about my ears, and saw a 
sergeant and eight men dead in the dit(;h, A captain of 
our infintry, belonging to New Ilamjtshire, threatened to 
take the life of Major Campbell, to avenge the death of 
his favorite. Colonel Scammel; but Colonel Hamilton in- 
terposed, and not a man was killed after he ceased to 
resist. During the assault, the British kept np an inces- 
sant firing of cannon and musketry from their whole line. 
His Excellency General Washington, Generals Lincoln 
and Knox, with their aids, having dismounted, were 
standing in an exposed situation waiting the result. Col- 
onel Cobb, one of General Washington's aids, solicitous 
for his safety, said to his excellency, "Sir, you are too 
much exposed here. Had you not better step a little back ?" 
"Colonel Cobb," replied his excellency, "if you are afraid, 
you have liberty to step back." The other redoubt on the 
right of the British lines was assaulted at the same time 
by a detachment of the French, commanded by the gallant 
Baron de Viomenil. Such was the ardor displayed by the 
assailants, that all resistance was soon overcome, though 
at the expense of nearly one hundred men killed and 
wounded.* Of the defenders of the redoubt, eighteen 

* The cause of the great loss sustained by the French troops in com- 
parison witli that of the Americans, in storming their respective redoubts, 
was that the American troops when they came to the abatis, removed a 
part of it with their hands and leaped over the remainder. The French 
troops on coming up to theirs, waited till their pioneers had cut away 
the abatis secundum artem, which exposed them longer to the galling fire 
of tiie enemy. To this cause also is to be ascribed the circumstance, 
that the redoubt assailed by the Americans, was carried before that at- 



286 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 

were killed, and one captain and two subaltern officers, 
and forty-two rank and file captured. Our second parallel 
line was immediately connected with the two redoubts 
now taken from the enemy, and some new batteries were 
thrown up in front of our second parallel Une, with a 
covert way, and angling work approaching to less than 
three hundred yards of their principal forts. These will 
soon be mantled with cannon and mortars, and when their 
horrid thundering commences, it must convince his lord- 
ship that his post is not invincible, and that submission 
must soon be his only alternative. Our artillery-men, by 
the exactness of their aim, make every discharge take 
effect, so that many of the enemy's guns are entirely si- 
lenced, and their works are almost in ruins. 

16^;/?. — A party of the enemy, consisting of about four 
hundred men, commanded by Colonel Abercrombie, about 
four in the morning, made a vigorous sortie against two 
unfinished redoubts occupied by the French ; they spiked 
up seven or eight pieces of cannon and killed several sol- 
diers, but the French advanced and drove them from the 
redoubts, leaving several killed and wounded. Our New 
England troops have now become very sickly; the preva- 
lent diseases are intermittent and remittent fevers, which are 
very prevalent in this climate during the autumnal months. 

11th. — The whole of our works are now mounted with 
cannon and mortars; not less than one hundred pieces of 
heavy ordnance have been in continual operation during 
the last twenty-four hours. The whole peninsula trembles 
under the incessant thunderings of our infernal machines; 
we have leveled some of their works in ruins, and silenced 
their guns; they have almost ceased firing. We are so 
near as to have a distinct view of the dreadful havoc and 
destruction of their works, and even see the men in their 
lines tore to pieces by the bursting of our shells. But the 
scene is drawing to a close. Lord Cornwallis, at length 
realizing the extreme hazard of his deplorable situation, 

tacked by the French troops. The Marquis de la Fayette sent his aid, 
Major Barbour, through the tremendous tire of the whole line of the 
British, to inform the Baron Viomenil, that "he was in his redoubt, and 
to ask the baron where he was." The major found the baron waiting 
the clearing away the abatis, but sent this answer: "Tell the marquis 1 
am not in mine, but will be in five minutes." He instantly advanced, 
and was, or nearly so, within his time. 



MILITARY JOUENAL,: im, 2S7o 

and jfiudmg; it in Y3i\x}.,?ir\y^gvg^r.^vf r^si5t,,,haS; fttus fpT$rr> 
nGp^ ,cQrae .tortile. humil^villing expedient} Qfi;s^nd;ing;pwt a? 
fl ag, req uesti n g ^,, .cegsajtipn ,o.f , jipstiliti^s. >fqj: , .tw,en,t j-fpup , 
bourSj )tl^i9,tf GQipiipi^sjpne'TS in9^, l:;)e .^pp,9inltej3; ;.tp_ ^ri^,j)«|re 
and ' adj ^^t , t^i^ t&fvas ; of ;Qapitulation,, . , jlj'wo , pr, Xhrep. flagsi 
passediin the, OQui^se,;of-jth.e daj^-, and '(jen^ra,], W,ashiiig,to.n, 
CQ.nsQjitecl to a cessatifonipf hpstilitjtis for t\!v^p,|ipi]irs,pnl}^^', 
that his lordship, may, sujgges}; his-pxppps,a]g;a,§^;bas|is,fQr, 
a, ; treaty,] which :being in part :apQ^pted,,^j s,uspejasip%!Pf:;^^ 
hostilities will be continued till tormp^rp.w, ,,; i ;!■.,■, !>- <,il 
. l^th.-—It . is now, , ascertained thajt^ j X^pr-di pprn iw^allisi, iq \ 
avoid the necessity ' of. a surrender,, jhad ,4etermined^pni tBe-. 
bold: attemptto make hiis escape inithe i^iight of [the 1,6th,' 
with a part of his army into the cpun-try^t liis-planj was- 
te leave sick : apd baggf^ge biQ^^indj , aqd,, ftp, ,CT9as! with . his , 
effective- force oyer to Glo ucester,,E'pijqt,,th,^j:e! to .destroy - 
the, French legion and other trdiPp^v^P.clil^PffloijiAt.hi? Jn-t' 
fantry, on theip horses : andj ^\xc\\ others . ,^, jpigiljit [ }^e. prp-, 
cured, , and thus pusih, their, wa.y itp l^cyvf YjOrk.,|)y Ivin^, 
A more: preposterous and ; desperate^ lattenipt cfPi.^carpeJy^ 
be imagined, Bo^ts were .secretly prepared {.{irrangeniepts,, 
made,., and a large, propprtip,n pf his trqops ..aictually .eni-; 
barked and lan4ed;pn Qlpucester Ppint, w,h,en, jfi^om. a.mPid-f ' 
erate andcalm ;eye(ning, ain?pst yiolent, ,^|,or,n} . pjf wiiid,an4' 
rain;pnsiied, _T hie. boats, :^itlv thq .reni]aini,ng^trp9ps,\y'!ere. 
all driven dpwn the ri,veir, ;axid it was, not till the, next f^ayr 
that his, troppSj could; be -returned „tp, the ga^rispn a^,,yprKi, 
At ;an, early hour this ; forenoon ,0enerajl' Xjyja^hingtpn.cdmi-! 
municated , tp, :tiPr,d CJprnwa^HiS; the jgeneral, bjisis of Jha 
terms of. capitulati,o,n,i .w^ich he deenfed' A<^n)issibl,e, , and. 
aillowed- two j hours , for . hi,s, ■ reply. : ; (Jpninii^.ioners- werP; 
soon after appointed to prepare the, pa^ticula,r terms, pf 
agreeraentt , The..gentiemeni apppint'ed,% (jeneral "W^ash.-, 
ington -are. Colonel Laurens, one.;of kis aid^e^camps,; andj 
Viscount No£iille of the French ■ armyi- > fThey have- this; 
day held an intei'yiew with the tWP British Pffieers on the' 
part of Lord Cornwallis, the term's of capitulation' are set-^ 
tied, and being confirmed by .the commanders of. both, 
armies, the royal troops are to march lOut torraonrow and.- 
surrender their arms. It is a circumstance deserving 'of^ 
remark, that Colonel Laurens, who 'is /stipulating for thie"' 
surrender of a ,B];-itish ,n,olplemah,;^t tiHe Jie^di.P^f ",?i^,'^^^ 



288 MILITARY JOURNAL, ITSl. 

army, is the son of Mr. Henry Laurens, our ambassador 
to Holland, who, being captured on his voyage, is now in 
close confinement in the tower of London.* 

19;!/?. — This is to us a most glorious day; but to the 
English, one of bitter chagrin and disappointment. Pre- 
parations are now making to receive as captives that vin- 
dictive, haughty commander, and that victorious army, 
who, by their robberies and murders, have so long been a 
scourge to our brethren of the Southern states. Being on 
horseback, I anticipate a full share of satisfaction in view- 
ing the various movements in the interesting scene. The 
stipulated terms of capitulation are similar to those granted 
to General Lincoln at Charleston the last year. The cap- 
tive troops are to march out with shouldered arms, colors 
cased, and drums beating a British or German march, and 
to ground their arms at -a place assigned for the purpose. 
The ofl&cers are allowed their side-arms and private prop- 
erty, and the generals and such officers as desire it are to 
go on parole to England or New York. The marines and 
seamen of the king's ships are prisoners of war to the navy 
of France; and the land forces to the United States. All 
military and artillery stores to be delivered up unimpaired. 
The royal prisoners to be sent into the interior of Virginia, 
Maryland and Pennsj^lvania in regiments, to have rations 
allowed them equal to the American soldiers, and to have 
their officers near them. Lord Cornwallis to man and 
despatch the Bonetta sloop-of-war with despatches to Sir 
Henry Clinton at New York without being searched, the 
vessel to be returned and the hands accounted for. At 
about twelve o'clock, the combined army was arranged 
and drawn up in two lines extending more than a mile in 

* Connected with this transaction there is a concurrence of circum- 
stances so peculiarly remarkable, that I cannot omit to notice them in 
this place. Mr. Henry Laurens, who was deputed by Congress as our 
ambassador to Holland, was captured and carried into England, and 
closely and most figorously confined in the tower of London. Lord 
Cornwallis sustains the office of constable to the tower; of course Mr. 
Laurens is his prisoner. The son, Colonel John Laurens, stipulates the 
conditions of the surrender of the constable, who becomes our prisoner, 
while Mr. Laurens, the father, remains confined in the tower as a pri- 
soner to the captured constable. Congress had proposed that Mr. Laurens 
should be received in exchange for General Burgoyne, but the proposal 
was rejected by the British government. After Cornwallis was cap- 
tured, however, he was readily received in exchange for Mr. Laurens. 



V 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1781. 289 

length. The Americans were drawn np in a line on the 
right side of the road, and the French occupied the left. 
At the head of the former, the great American commander,j 
mounted on his noble courser, took his station, attended 
by his aids. At the head of the latter was posted the ex- 
cellent Count Kochambeau and his suite. The French 
troops, in complete uniform, displayed a martial and noble 
appearance, their band of music, of which the timbrel 
formed a part, is a delightful novelty, and produced while 
marching to the ground a most enchanting effect. The 
Americans, though not all in uniform, nor their dress so 
neat, yet exhibited an erect, soldierly air, and every coun- 
tenance beamed with satisfaction and joy. The concourse 
of spectators from the country was prodigious, in point 
of numbers was probably equal to the military, but uni- 
versal silence and order prevailed. It was about two 
o'clock when the captive army advanced through the 
line formed for their reception. Every eye was prepared 
to gaze on Lord Cornwallis, the object of peculiar interest 
and solicitude; but he disappointed our anxious expecta- 
tions; pretending indisposition, he made General O'Hara 
his substitute as the leader of his army. This officer was" 
followed by the conquered troops in a slow and solemn 
step, with shouldered arms, colors cased, and drums beat- 
ing a British march. Having arrived at the head of the 
line, General O'Hara, elegantly mounted, advanced to 
his excellency the commander-in-chief, taking off his hat, 
and apologized for the non-appearance of Earl Cornwallis. 
With his usual dignity and politeness, his excellency 
pointed to Major-General Lincoln for directions, by whom 
the British army was conducted into a spacious field, where 
it was intended they should ground their arms. The 
royal troops, while marching through the line formed by 
the allied army, exhibited a decent and neat appearance, 
as respects arms and clothing, for their commander opened 
his store, and directed every soldier to be furnished with 
a new suit complete, prior to the capitulation. But in 
their line of march we remarked a disorderly and unsol- 
dierly conduct, their step was irregular, and their ranks 
frequently broken. But it was in the field, when they 
came to the last act of the drama, that the spirit and pride 
of the British soldier was but to the severest test: here 



2:^ MiIiIT,4RY' .JOUEN AL, 17S1-.: 

their:, morlificaj^iopr wiakiinQtibe eonoealed/ 'S(>¥ne.(0if jtW 
platoon: officers appeared W he: exceedingly, loh'agrjried; 
when, giving thci w-Qf'd. ^jgrnund \aTm^^J ancj' I aixi; a Xvitness 
that they perforna^^ this dvtty in a-very; [unoffioen-like 
manner; and ;tbq,t.n)any of the sbldiersimanilesteda-tSM^/c?* 
temp&rj throwing' their arpis on the pile wjith violence, aa 
if determined to render therti useless.: This irregularity^ 
however, was, checked by the ; authority of OeneraJL ; Liu-, 
coin. After having grounded their arrns and divested 
themselves of their accoutrements, the captive troops were 
,conducted back to Yorktownj and guarded by. our troops 
till they could be renioved to the place of their destina' 
tion. The British troops that were stationed ^t Gloucester,- 
surrendered at the same time and in tb.Q sq.|Tie inanner, to 
the command of the Duke de Ijuzerne.i : This must be a 
very interesting and gratifying transactipiitoGenera:! Lin.' 
coin, who, baying ihirnself been obliged to surrender an 
army to a. haughty foe the ]ast'year,'hasnpw assigned him 
the pleasing. duty of giving laws tP:^' conquered arniy in 
return, and of reflecting that. the terms: which were ini-, 
posed on him ^re, adopted as a basis of the surrender in 
the present instance. It is a very gratifyiog circnmstanee 
that every degxe^ of harmony, , confidence ;and friendly 
intercpurse subsisted between the American, and ■ French 
trpop^dujingthe.caijnpaign— -no eontest, except an ernulo^u^ 
^spirit to excel in exploits and enterprise] against. ;tha coni- 
mon ei^erny, and a desire to .b,e celebrated an the.sinnalspf; 
history for an ardent love of. greats; and; heroic ' actions,; 
We are ,not to be surprised- that, tl^e ,prid(?.pf|the;, British 
pfl&cers is humbled on this occasipn, ,as,;tbeyi;l^«iVi^ ^^Iwfiys 
entertained an ; exAlte.ci, .opii;^ipn,.pf, ih,eir, ,ox}^i|;.mi,li|tary 
prowess, and. affected .to, vie W; the Amei}i,cans.ta':S a con- 
temptible, undiscipli^ied rabble, Bht there is no, display 
of m agnanimity wlien. a. great cpnupiTiande;-^ ,^hripks ; from* 
the inevitable misfortunes of war; and when it. is; ponsid-. 
ered that. Lord Cornwallis has. frequently appeared in 
splendid triumph at the head of his arniy,,by ^Yh;ich he is 
almost adored, we cpnceive it incumbent! op h,ini eheerfully 
to participate in their ihisfortun^s..q..nd.degra4<i''tipns, how-, 
ever humiliatmg; but , it js ^said i lie givp^ h,i,niself up .en-i 
tirely to vexation and despa)ir.^ ., n i , i.,,, ;,.,[ .>;j; ,,r ■,' , ■, 
2()th.—ln the generarprdersf o|,thi^,dpy Q^^'^eo.m'F^PI^^T": 



MILITARY JOURNAL, iTgl 291 

in-c'hief expresses his entire approbation, and his warmest 
tbaTiks'to the-Firettch and Araericah' offiters' aiid soldiers 
■of all descriptions, ifor; the brave and honorable part whicli 
they hate • acted' during ■ the ' siege. He; c(5ngrattilates'the 
icombi'ned army on the mdniento us event which closed the 
ickmpaign, and which erovv^ns their heads 'with unfMing 
-laurels, and entitles- them^ to the applause and gratitude of 
their country. Among the general officers whohi his ex 
cellency- ■particularly noticed, for the ihiportaht services 
which ■ they rendered during- the siege, are Generals Lin- 
coln', De la Fayette, Steuben, 'Knox, and Dii Portail, his 
lExcellency Count Rochambeau, and several other distin- 
guished French Officers. To Governor NelsOn, of Virginia, 
■lie returned his' grateful slhd sincere acknowledgnie'rits for 
the essential succors afforded by him artd the militia iknder 
his ! 'Command. ' The ' cOrrimander-in-ehief, wishing that 
every heart should participate in the joy of this.rriemora- 
■ble day^ ordered that 'all those who are under arrest or 
confinement should be im mediately pardoned knd set at 
liberty, a oircumkan'ce which I believe has never befoi'e 
occurred in our army. - He closed by ordering that divine 
■service shall be performed in the several brigades to-mor- 
row,- and recommerids that the troops attend with a serious 
deportment, and with that sensibility of heart which the 
recollection of the surprising and particular interposition 
of Providence in our favor claims. ' 

22d— Yesterday being Sunday, dur* brigade of infantry 
and the York brigade were drawn up in the field to attend 
divine service, performed by Mr. Evans. After ofi:ering to 
the Lord of hosts, the God of battles, our grateful homage 
for the preservation of our lives through the dangers of 
thc'siege,' and for theimportant event with which Divine 
Providence has seen fit to crown our efforts, he preached 
an excellent and appropriate sermon. Generals Lincoln 
and Clinton wfere preseiit. In the design and execution 
of this: successful expedition, our commander-in-chief fairly 
out-genttaled Sir'Henry Clinton, and the whole thOvemfent 
w^s- marked by cdnsunimate niilitary address, which re- 
duced the royal 'general to a' mortifying dileiiiiha, that rio 
skill or enterprise could retrieve. A siege of thirteisn days, 
prosecuted with unexariipled rapidity^ has tetfliinated in 
the- capture of one of'the 'gr^iatest' geniei'als of' which the 



292 MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. 

English can boast, and a veteran and victorious arrny which 
has for several months past spread terror and desolation 
throughout the Southern states. The joy on this moment- 
ous occasion is universally diffused, and the hope enter- 
tained that it will arrest the career of a cruel warfare, and 
advance the establishment of American Independence. In 
the progress of the royal army through the state of Virgi- 
nia the preceding summer, they practised the most abom- 
inable enormities, plundering negroes and horses from 
almost every plantation, and reducing the country to ruin. 
Among the prodigious assemblage of spectators at the 
time of surrender, were a number of planters, searching 
for the property which had been thus purloined from their 
estates. The famous Colonel Tarleton, mounted on a horse 
remarkable for elegance and noble appearance, while riding 
in company with several French ofl&cers with whom he 
was to dine, was met by a gentleman, who instantly re- 
cognized the animal as his own propert3\ Tarleton was 
stopped, and the horse peremptorily demanded; observing 
a little hesitation, the British General O'Harra, who was 
present, said, "You had better give him his horse, Tarle- 
ton;" on which the colonel dismounted, and delivered the 
horse to the original proprietor; after which, being re- 
mounted on a very miserable animal, he rejoined his com- 
pany, and the French officers were greatly surprised that 
he should be so humbly mounted. The British prisoners 
were all sent off yesterday, conducted by a party of militia 
on their way to the interior of Virginia and Maryland. 
I have this day visited the town of York, to witness the 
destructive effects of the siege. It contains about sixty 
houses; some of them are elegant, many of them are 
greatly damaged and some totally ruined, being shot 
through in a thousand places and honey-combed ready to 
crumble to pieces. Eich furniture and books were scat- 
tered over the ground, and the carcases of men and horses 
half-covered with earth, exhibited a scene of ruin and 
horror beyond description. The earth in many places is 
thrown up into mounds by the force of our shells, and it 
is difficult to point to a spot where a man could have 
resorted for safety. 

The loss on the part of the French during the siege was 
fifty killed and one hundred and twenty-seven wounded. 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1781. £93 

Americans twenty-seven killed and seventy-three wounded, 
officers included. Cornwallis' account of his loss during 
the siege is one hundred and fifty-six, three hundred 
and twenty-six wounded, and seventy missing, probably 
deserted, total five hundred and fifty-two. The whole 
number surrendered by capitulation, seven thousand two 
hundred and forty-seven.* The amount of artillery and 
military stores, provisions, &c., is very considerable, sev- 
enty-five brass and one hundred and sixty-nine iron can- 
non, seven thousand seven hundred ninet^^-four muskets; 
regimental standards, German eighteen, British ten. From 
the military chest we received two thousand one hundred 
and thirteen pounds six shillings sterling. 

Lord Cornwallis is a very distinguished warrior; he 
possesses an exalted spirit, is brave and intrepid, and 
never was there a more zealous champion of his tyrannical 
master; austere and rigorous in his temper, nothing could 
be more foreign from his heart than the sympathies of 
benevolence or generous compassion. Had all the rebels 
in the states but one neck, his lordship would glory in 
nothing more than an opportunity of severing the jugular 
vein. But Cornwallis has fallen! and our country is not 
subjugated. f 

It is proper I should take a retrospect of some events 
which have marked the conduct of the war of extermina- 
tion in the Southern states. A singular kind of ferocious 
animosity has subsisted between the two contending par- 
ties, as may be seen by letters from General Greene on 

* Another list, which has been published, makes their total loss by 
death and capture to be eleven thousand eight hundred, including two 
tiiousand sailors, one tiiousand eight imndred negroes, one thousand five 
hundred tories, eighty vessels, large and small. 

f It is asserted in Gvrdon^s History of the War, that wherever the army 
of Lord Cornwallis marched, the dwelling-houses were plundered of 
every thing that could be carried off. Hundreds of eye-witnesses can 
prove that his lordship's table was served with plate thus pillaged from 
private families. By an estimate made at the time, on the best informa- 
tion that could be collected, the state of Virginia lost during Cornwallis' 
attempts to reduce it, thirty thousand slaves. And it has been com- 
puted that one thousand four hundred widows were made by the ravaging 
hand of war in the single district of Ninety-Six. The whole devasta- 
tions occasioned by the British army, during the six months previous to 
tlieir surrender at Yorktown, are supposed to amount to about three 
millions .sterling. 



the subject: "The rinimosif}^/" sajfs 'this amiElble rftan, 
-"between the whigs' arid' tones 6'f; this stiite 'fe riders their 
'Siluastidntr'idy deploiiabk:'' Ngt a' 'dkj jjass'es "btit; t|iere 
■•are ftioiie qi' less Hvb'd fdll • a' Sacrifice td this- saivage disposi- 
■ tioti. The whi'gs 6ecb 'dfeterhlined to extirpate tK'e tof ie^, 
a-ndthfe tori^s-the ^vhigi/ ,',Sdme thousands 'have, Mleh ih 
this way 'in thi&'quartei*,'' and the evil l-ages \v5th rnore 
violence than-even. ' If ai stop cannot be soon put to these 
massacres-,' the fctoi'iiMr^r' Will be; depopulated in a few months 
, more, as heither'wbig nor tOfy' Can live/' Speaking of a 
Certain- party i>n'€)ui- side,' he says: ' "This party plunders 
without merd}^,' and murders the defenceless people just 
as private pique, prejudice or pei^sohal resentments dic- 
tate.' Principles of humanity, as well as policy, require 
^tkat proper ■ measures should 'be iniiA^diat^ly taken to re- 
igtrain' these abuses;- h'^ar difterences, ahd' unite the people 
fas 'mueh^^as'possiblel •]^o'\'i6lSnce'should be; offered to 
any of the TnhabitantB' Unless fomid in arniS.' - The' idea of 
^eitermlhatirig' 'tihe -tOfi^eS is'- no 'less barbat-dus tWan ' im- 
^politic;'' ■ Such is th'e'itiferiial -spirit of revenge and bitter- 
'neSSWliicii has caused mutual defetruetion and wretchedness 
'among' the ' people/ But, however atrocious may have 
been the conduct of some unauthorized partizans on the 
-part of the A'niericans, the following instance of inhuman- 
-ity, in the sacrifice of one of the victims of their malicious 
resentment, i is sufficient 'ta stigmatize the British character 
■with eternal infamy. Lord liawdoh and Lieiitenant-Col- 
oner Balfour have perpetrated an act which, in all its 
distressing circumstancet?, surpasses in enormity and wick- 
.'eliiiess aij pthe|i;-s vv|4^^^ |lia.y,e;cO):ne to our knowledge, and 
iwihiclj- has rouseditlieJndignant spirit of every true Amer- 
ican to a pitch of desperation, "Colonel Isaac 'Hayne, 
duTing the siege of Cliarleston, served' his country as. an 
bffieer of 'miUtia,' After the capitulation, no alternative 
was 'left b\;t jto.aTiandw .His iami property, or to 

surrender totlie conquerors, n; The small-pox was near, his 
plantation, and he ;had a/wifej six^ small children, and more 
-than one hundred negroe^, all liable to the disease. He 
'concluded that, instead of -(ivaitihgtb be captured, it Avbuld 
^e'bo^jti'njpreiaiH aind,^,^^^^ within .the 

Britis;h lines, j and , surrender himselfa' voldntairy prisoner; 
He therefore repaired to Charleston, and offered to bind 



. MIHTAEX JOURNAL,; 17S1 . (2'95 

-h i'itisfel'f hj itfe-e ■ honor of, an American officer to do^ mothiinig 

-prejudicial to the iBritish interest till be should be e>i- 

;ckangedi Reports made of;hissiiperioi abilities and influ- 

j enciej (uniformity .exerted > in the A'meriean ■ eause, operated 

jwith t'h6 conquerors ' to resfuSe^hitn- a parole,' though thdy 

;.were ; d ally accustomed: to grant this ; i nditlgence to other 

.inhabitants^ Be wasi.told i that h©:. must eithei* become a 

[British; subject,, or submit; :to close oonfinement.' ;To be 

lari^ested arid detainted.in the capital, was not to himself &n 

I intolerable/ evil;; but ,tO' abandon' his^family, both to the 

fjavlagefe ofithe small-pox then raging in^ their neighbor- 

iJiJiood,; arid to the itisults and depredations of the royalists, 

-;was too much for th©!tender husband arid fond parent. 

,'TQi;a.clcriowledge himself, the ■iubject of' a governmerlt 

.which he had from principle renounced, was: repugnant to 

,ihis)ifaelihgs; but, -tvithout thife, he was cut -off- from ' everV 

pioBpect of aircturn i6 his family.. In this' embarrassing 

;'SJtuatiohv ho waited om Dr. ' Ramsay, with a declaration to 

(.thre ftilllowing bift'ecti-^^'Ifthe British wfould grant me the 

jind'tilgenceiwliichjweirithe day of our power gave to thdr 

■ladherents, ofl removing my flimily and property, I would 

iseek' an; asjdum in the remotest corner of the United 

.States, rather ithan submit to their government; but, as 

.they; allow no: other alternative than submission or con- 

■ finement in; tlie: ' capital, at a distance from my; wife and 

family,! at;a' time when they- are in the most pressing need 

,of my presence; and; support, I must f<i)r the ^ present yield 

■to: the d.ema:hd3 df the conquerors'. I- request you to bear 

-iri mindi, that previous to iny taking tins step, Ideclare 

jthait:it is. contrary to;my inclinationj and forced' on - me by 

';hard neoessi ty. i ; I' never will bear arms agai rist my' couil- 

ttry. .Miy new;masters can require no Se^rvic6 of n'le but 

( whatsis enjoined' by the old militia law of the province, 

f. which substitutes a; finb in: lieu of personal servicie. This 

tl will pay as:the: jirioe' of my protection. If my conduct 

,shoiuild_. be ■c'ensuired'by;my 'countrymen,' !■ beg that you 

1 would .renaehribelr :this conversation, ;and; bear Witness for 

me, that I; do'not-niean to dfese^rt the cause of America.' - 

1: . : ;Ia this statd ofpferpleixityi,' Golofiel Hayne subscribed a 

.declaratio-iiiof his allegiance' toi the King of Great •Britain'; 

.but; ,nbt without ,; expressly , bbjectirig to th.e> 'okias^; wh-ibli 

required him with his arms to support the royal government. 



296 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

The commandant of the garrison, Brigadier-General Pat- 
terson, and James Simpson, Esquire, intendant of the Brit- 
ish police, assured him that^this would never be required; 
and added, further, that when the regular forces could not 
defend the country without the aid of its inhabitants, it 
would be high time for the royal army to quit it. Having 
submitted to the royal government, he was permitted to 
return to his family. Notwithstanding what had passed 
at the time of his submission, he was repeatedly called on 
to take arms against his countrymen, and finally threatened 
with close confinement in case of a further refusal. This 
he considered as a breach of contract, and it being no 
longer in the power of the British to give him that pro- 
tection which was to be the compensation of his allegiance, 
he viewed himself as released from all engagements to 
their commanders. The inhabitants of his neighborhood, 
who had also revolted, petitioned General Pickens to ap- 
point him to the command of their regiment, which was 
done, and the appointment accepted. Hayne fell into 
their hands. He was carried to the capital, and confined 
in the provost prison, for having resumed his arms after 
accepting British protection. At first he was promised a 
trial, and had counsel prepared to justify his conduct by 
the laws of nations and usages of war; but this was finally 
refused, and he was ordered for execution by Lord Raw- 
don and Lieutenant-Colonel Balfour. The royal Lieuten- 
ant-Governor Bull, and a great number of inhabitants, 
both royalists and Americans, interceded for his life. The 
ladies of Charleston generally signed a petition in his be- 
half, in which was introduced every delicate sentiment 
that was likely to operate on the gallantry of officers or 
the humanity of men. His children, accompanied by some 
near relations, (the mother had died of the small-pox,) 
were presented on their bended knees as humble suitors 
for their father's life. Such powerful intercessions were 
made in his favor, as touched many an unfeeling heart, 
and drew tears from many a hard eye; but Lord Rawdon 
and Balfour continued firm in their determination. 

The colonel was repeatedly visited by his friends, and 
conversed on various subjects with a becoming fortitude. 
He particularly lamented that, on principles of retaliation, 



MILITAEY JOUENAL, 1781. ^ 297 

his execution would probably be an introduction to the 
shedding of much innocent blood. He requested those 
in whom the supreme power was vested, to accommodate 
the mode of his death to his feelings as an officer; but 
this was refused. On the last evening of his life he told 
a friend that he was no more alarmed at the thoughts of 
death, than at any other occurrence which was necessary 
and unavoidable. 

On receiving his summons, on the morning of August 
the 4th, to proceed to the place of execution, he delivered 
to his eldest son, a youth of about thirteen years of age, 
several papers relative to his case, and said: "Present 
these papers to Mrs. Edwards, with my request that she 
should forward them to her brother in Congress. You 
will next repair to the place of execution, receive my 
bod}^, and see it decently interred among my forefathers." 
They took a final leave. The colonel's arms were pin- 
ioned, and a guard placed round his person. The proces- 
sion began from the Exchange in the forenoon. The streets 
were crowded with thousands of anxious spectators. He 
walked to the place of execution with such decent firm- 
ness, composure and dignity, as to awaken the compassion 
of man}', and command respect from all. When the city- 
barrier was passed, and the instrument of his catastrophe 
appeared in full view, a faithful friend by his side ob- 
served to him, that he hoped he would exhibit an example 
of the manner in which* an American can die. He an- 
swered, with the utmost tranquillity, "I will endeavor to 
do so." He ascended the cart with a firm step and serene 
aspect. He inquired of the executioner, who was making 
an attempt to get up to pull the cap over his eyes, what 
he wanted. On being informed, the colonel replied, "I 
will save 3'ou the trouble," and pulled the cap over him- 
self. He was afterwards asked whether he wished to say 
any thing, to which he answered, "I will only take leave 
of my friends, and be ready." He then affectionately shook 
hands with three gentlemen, recommending his children 
to their care, and gave the signal for the cart to move. 

Thus fell Colonel Isaac Hayne in the bloom of life, fur- 
nishing that example in death, which extorted a confession 
from his enemies, that though he did not die in a good 



293: MILITARY' J OUKNAL, 1781. 

cause,' he must at' least have acted; frotti' a persiiaston of 

lis biding' so. ■;■■'' •;■■' .i'"'-i.' I.. ■•■II. I ■.!. .^ -,i> ■ 1 

' li'he lexecmtioh bf'the W6tihy'''0(i\0ne\'Whym'\&ynmiep 
Sally ;repr<5bal!0d as aa ttct of bdrb'arity, justitieei'neith^r b}^ 
divil nt)rmiHtary law, aai'd as'ail'tin'examplfed -ohtrage oii 
the prijiciptes'of rtiofalitsy and ChrMtiaii' behfevblence; but 
m;the viiiw^ of the' Bfitish e6mmahdei'S, the application of 
their hackneyed term, rebel, sanctions a departure from all 
litws^ both human' aiid divirie'. Iri August,- 1780, L6rcl 
Cornwallis, In addt-essing one of his officers, 'say^i *'I have 
given orders.that'ali th^ inhabitants of this' pro Virice \vh6 

j ■ ; , : ■■ '..<'.■■ ■■:'.'. .'•■'■'> ' ■' ■ ' i ■■"/:.: ; - I ■■ i ;. : ■ :■ i ■ ■ 

* Tlie tragical, stof-y ,,of:CoIjOn(jl I^ayiie., is [not ;Cohifili'te! witliQut {iddi 
ing, from ii recent publication, by Alexiinder Garden, Esq., tlie following 
piirticuiars: "Irrifgulai'ities ill tne mode of", conducting- the war, iii' the 
highest degree disgraecfuPtd' the Ameri^-aii ciAuse, luud frequeiUjy ocr 
curred. No man lamented tlienl witlv <j;re"atel-' siliu^rity than Colonel 
Hay no, foe none .inpre' anxiously wiisiFied . the American clKinieter to be 
free Vrom reproach. S.opo, tli^n;,, an, .solicited by his :n<iig))biqrs,;a\id th^ 
iniiabitants generally of tl'ie dWrti-t, to rcsjuniei.'i hostile position, to be- 
ebmti their leader, iihd' direoi their'i ()j)'i.M-a{iohs against the enemy, he 
made an iionirablo and' opi-ii dc'clai'alluii;' »'th;it lie' cbivi'd oiify be in- 
dnc*{^l to comply with: thcirwiKhe^^, byjobtaihing a.Kolemlv prdniise'from 
all who were t" serve under hini,.that an .Inimciliate stiop sliould 'be ^lut 
to every unneces-snry severity: a desideratum the more, to be insisted 
on, as he was resolved' that exemplary puui-shinent should be inflicted on 
every individiiar wh<» feliould iiidnlgb iii pilllige,' or in coin'm'itt'ing any 
act of inhumanity agafiikstitlie f<)e.' A c('ti)y of 'the ad'dres.s mfide to his 
soldiers on this O(,'ca§ioii AVJW found on him at the period of his captivity; 
but though it forcibly ,expr.es.se^l his abjiorreocM of Virinie, and was replete 
with sentiments that aUiJionprr;t<) his humanity, , it, availed not to soften 
the rigui' of liersOcYition, ■nor in the sl!i"htesl degree to mitigate the 
severiiy of theipunisiiiJK^nl detu/ut'icl'd iigliinst liiui. When the paper 
which contained liiis' lion(ir;ii>'l<i testimony bf getierOus feelilig was pre- 
sented to .Majoj- ilql\eiv.ie,,\yh(|>,|!iati as president of Iholribiiiaul bet'ore 
which Colonel iiayne, \\as' :^iu-a^i^ed, l)e,, vith'.gre)it e^pressfipn of sensir 
bilily; requested the, prisoUier 'Ho retain it till he should be, brought 
bel'oie the court-liK-li-llar 'lhat'\tais'l'o; determine his fate,' assuring jiim 
'that the presehl/codrt'NVei-e orVly direct-ed-to iriqiiire whether ov not he 
acliuolvledged himself to licthe 'individual uilur had taken protection.' 
It is, unnecessary to add, that thjAitrial wat* HjCver granted. Lord Ravv- 
don rca'-hed the city from , the interior coiintj-y,,aii4 afhis c<nnmand an 
dhler'for imiiiediate exmilioii'was issued.. Ijitfle did the sympathy that 
niel^^d'eVevy heart to tendei-nes<>^itl(e dicl't'ji(j-paili.etic addj-ess of: the 
lovelydaug.hters of the soil, thdeiiMed tO'mWL^ e^Veii th'e busonr of' ob- 
(|^racy-r-avail. : ;lli>edl).;.ss.of the prayers imd Koiliqitations of the afflicted 
friends andj relatiycjj, deaf; |t(> the crjep ,of j his ^ti^ldrenv whp, ctveu. with 
bended linees interc'eded lor mercy, hisensible to the dictates of human- 
ity, his resolution was ti.ved us adamant, and a hero was sacriticed." 



MILITiiRY : JOFEUAL.r mi; 299' 

had suibmitte^', aftd who have taken .pattrin lits reTolt; shall 
bespHnished with ^th 6 :' greatest rigor^ that they: shall/ be 
imprisoned,; and their whole property -taken fromithem-or 
destroyedi ^ I have ordered, ifl the rnost positive; ralanner, 
that e very rniilitia-;man who had borne ;arms with us; and 
afterwaixlsjoiped the: enemyi, shall 'be immediately han^d; 
and have now,; siry only to desire that- you will take the 
most vigorous <na!easures to; extinguish; the rebellion, and 
that you will obejf^ in the strictest manner,; the directions 
given in' this fletter." It ison the authority of the order 
just quoted; thiit Lord Eawdon; and Oolonel Balfour justify 
their, cruel execution of Colonel Hay he, and it will be 
difficult to calculate : the number of miserable wretches 
whoiitiaveMfaHe^i'saorifioesi.to the sariie Relentless spiritj; 
nor/arethe hmndates :of Loird EaWdon ksSiis^miguinary^-as 
wiiriappeiarit)y;the;'foIlowihg: specimen:;!: i; ,1: -p: i / -! ''- 

' .,.,., ^1:7/ -M .■;;';;;■> ;;:•/■■■•■ 1;: h ::'• 1; -'i -.MMVi^i I .'f-h ! i:^ :?::'• •■) 
, Esrtrflct, of^ ft, ^it^r^ f(f, CiJtl^el.R{i/geJy, covHym^dyng^ t}\e .^riiish milUicu,^ 

, :'■'■. I ■ <' near' Camden, ;.,, ; , 1 1 

; 'I If att:iph!ii;Q|it, Jo, th(|ir gpyereign wijl not mosye thp, coujitj-y pooplp ,19 
cIk'c;1v 'k crinie so disnstrop to tfie s'ervjce,' HpsertipVi, it ,niust be, my. care 
to ih-j^e Wein tA'tlieIr diity, a^ guWd'suliJect^Vty uyiWfr'invaria'bie severity 
agiiirwt^ cVOi^' tjile^ wtio 'sliilll shtiw s^'i'Htaii'i'iara'rilL'j^le'ct'bf 'the -public' ih- 
t;cr»ist; ; . J:f any poriioh :nieet hi soldiery istiuig^ii^ kvifhoUf. ■•<& writteti :pasS 
beyicind tljfl^piqvtets, aud sliall ;i>Qt| dp .hia^utmoslt to. iS^cvirei Mm, or f*hn:y 
iiotsprei^d an alaj;ni: Ix?!-, tliis p^irppstij or.ii'j!»py,.per^p,ip,slj|i,l!l|giy|e slifiUcf 
to. soldiers strhg^liii^ as above hientipned, or shall serve: them as a 
guidd;; 'or shall tWni.sii''l:h(?ni \\'il:fr pAssse'sVo^ ati^ dtlh'c'i' ':is^iistalk4y 'tlT^ 
porisoiii^^feo ofleiidiiig ^m'ay'ass«r6' them'seK'-e^ of ri^fll-iiu.S; pihiislimcfntj it's 
t>y irJiifpityi-.,ii'n)]ms()mn(n/,.or. by-bein^ sent: totseiiveiin/the Wfint-: Iitdies, 
aeeordiiig, as ]/, sj^altthiivk . .fhp . dcgreciot! i^nminjdity/^mt^y retiqiro ; for . ll 
have ordVred that,C|Very soidier \vhp;pas:?p.S|tl]^, piqwetjjshall.^iUimit hiffl. 
self to be exarpihed, by any miiitia-iiian \v,lio has a'|SWsi)ic;i<)n. pf hliii. If 
a <^oldici', th<?rettM-e', attehipts to esicaJKS A^HeiV oirdl'i-l-'d by' a' Vnilili;l-'rii:.lh 
to stop^ hkj 'isiininiediatt^yi to ibic':tired 'Pn ias.,a: deser-ter. I- will' give'teii 
gu\niL.%iii/i)r fjlejief^l of ^ijiy .de^ertcirbelongiilg tioj ihs\v(ilimle'ei^S'f>f-I>'4- 
^«j^/,:u|id,/j,p f^jidnefiiS joiily .if ,l>ie b^ ;bvough;t ^jivjjf"/ •; , ; , , ,■•, ■,■ ; 1 . , ; , 1 

■ But -the' ''^ti-cyng' 'in'easures which ihey 'pursued' 16' ci^iisti 
tliG H'Mf?>)?i4ias prbdltced a Contrary' eifedt, and; lighted; a 
fl a'niie ; w hi^h' - r^'ges' \VilH ' ttfhfold 'vibleriee', and ' ivhich' \viTl 
eventually • afi'^rd' dn '/esseiiitral'- aid in ' the - e^^ 
out^:Ind<3petiden<!^J '■'"' .|iv-^l>-^'' /''I!-'"';'' •_';'^-"', ';•'' ■'■': 
Fdr '^bhie' rriorith^ 'pr^viote fc); the cap'^iiii-e bf* CbViiivalliS, 
and while hi^'ai-lliy'-vv'^s tra't^rsilV^ the statesjof the' Carb- 
litias '' and Virginia^' he' \Vas- opposed' by the Mar'qtiis- de la 



gOQ MILITARY JOURNAL, 17S1 

Fayette with an inferior force. His lordship having re- 
ceived a reinforcement, was so confident of success against 
his opponent, that he unguardedly wrote, in a letter which 
was afterwards intercepted, " the hoy cannot escape me,'" 
but he was disappointed in his sanguine expectations. 
Cornwallis at one time formed a plan to surprise the mar- 
quis while on the same side of James river with himself, 
but the attempt was prevented by the following incident: 
The marquis, unapprised of the particular situation of his 
opponent, contrived to send into his camp a spy to obtain 
intelligence. A soldier belonging to New Jersey, by the 
name of Charles Morgan, generally called Charley, agreed 
to undertake this hazardous service; but insisted that, in 
case he should be discovered and hanged, the marquis, to 
secure his reputation, should have it inserted in the New 
Jersey paper, that he was employed in the service of his 
commander. Having reached the royal camp, he was soon 
introduced into his lordship's presence, who inquired the 
reason of his deserting. Charley replied, "that he had 
been in the continental service from the beginning, and 
while under Washington he was well satisfied; but being 
now commanded by a Frenchman, he was displeased with 
it, and had quitted the service." His lordship commended 
and rewarded him for his conduct, and Charle}' soon com- 
menced the double duty of soldier under the English 
commander, and a spy in the employment of the marquis, 
without suspicion. Lord Cornwallis, while in conversa- 
tion with several of his officers, inquired of Charley how 
long a time it would take for the marquis to cross James 
river? Pausing a moment, he replied, "Three hours, my 
lord." His lordship exclaimed, "Three hours! it will take 
three days." "No, my lord," said Charley; "the marquis 
has such a number of boats, and each boat will carry so 
many men; if you will please to calculate, you will find 
he can pass in three hours." His lordship, turning to the 
officers, said, "The scheme will not do." After having 
obtained the information required, Morgan began to pre- 
pare for a return to the marquis, and he prevailed with 
several British soldiers to desert with him. When chal- 
lenged by the sentinels, he artfully tampered with them 
by giving them rum; and, while drinking, he seized their 
arms, and then compelled them to go; and this brave 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 17S1. 301 

fellow actually brought oflf seven deserters to our camp. 
On his return to head-quarters, the marquis accosted him 
with, "Well, Charley, have you got back?" " Yes, please 
your excellency, and have brought seven men with me." 
Having communicated his information, the marquis offered 
to reward him, but he declined receiving money ; and when 
^t was proposed to promote him to a corporal or sergeant, 
he replied, "I have ability to discharge the duties of a 
common soldier, and my character stands fair; but should 
I be promoted, I may fail, and lose my reputation." He, 
however, requested that his destitute comrades, who came 
with him, might be furnished with shoes and clothing, 
which was readily granted. 

A warm nction took place early in September, between 
General Greene and the main body of the royal army, 
under Colonel Stuart, at Eutaw springs. Though inferior 
in force, General Greene sought the enemy, and made a 
furious attack; the battle became general, and continued 
four hours; it was the hottest and the most bloody, for 
the numbers engaged, that General Greene ever witnessed; 
many of the officers combated sword to sword, and the 
soldiers, rushing together, with the point of the bayonet 
contended wath increased rage and effort for life, for blood, 
and carnage. A party of the enemy possessed themselves 
of a three-story brick house and a picketed garden, which 
gave them considerable advantage, and saved their army 
from a total rout. In a charge, which decided the fate of 
the day in our favor, Lieutenant-Colonel Campbell, of the 
Virginia line, who with undaunted firmness was leading on 
his brigade, received a mortal wound; and, on being in- 
formed that the enemy were flying in all quarters, said, 
''I die contented." Lieutenant-Colonel Washington had 
his horse killed under him, was wounded and taken pris- 
oner. The American loss is not less than sixty commis- 
sioned officers killed and wounded, one hundred and thirty 
rank and file killed, and three hundred and forty wounded 
and missing. The loss on the side of the British is sup- 
posed to be fully equal in point of numbers, excepting in 
officers, and five hundred men, including seventy wounded, 
which were left, were the next day made prisoners by our 
army. Victory is claimed by both commanders, but the 
consequences have proved most disastrous to the enemy; 



g02' MILITARY JOUKNALjiirsl.; 

for Xhe next day Golon:^! i$H\arf fdes^royedi ii large- quantityt 
of sitores, abandone,Gl-bis,;pp8;ition^:jand leaving, one thou-* 
sand rstand of arm:Sl:and.seiv■elJty/w(i)^■ndedliffleh'i:ipetitedli^ 
haate ;to^v.*ards:!Charlest■on..:,;!' ■:.'.,:! I-mj-. .vyirA' / > -\j"-.\ 
I . ,31s/.r^0,ur,tii0Qps :areinow-eiirvplb;^ed.in embarking /tlie 
artil]efy.and stores oriboaird bf itra'n$po;ttSy dnd iwe^are'sooil 
to proceed by wjjiter to. the h^ad of Elk^ river,- on our .way 
to the North niver, . Pined \yith General Hazen, iniCom+ 
pany with :a number of officers,; both American and 
French, Here we enjoyed a. profusion of mutual cdn- 
gratulations on. our late glorious success, and this was the 
chief ; topic of conversation. : Lord Cornwallis: ; and. his 
officers, since their capitulation, have received 'ali- the 
civilities and hospitality which it is in the power;of their 
copqi^etprs ,to.,bestowi" General Washington, i Co ikwt'iBo- 
cha;mb:Cap,,,afld' other ; general ; ;officers,i; have; fre'^useii'tly 
invitcdi them tO; en-tertainments, and they have i fexpry^ed 
^heirigratei^iil aciknowlfdgments in return. : ;T.hey oaninot 
avoid feeling-the strikirig; contrast between ;the- treatment 
\vhich I th.ey now expedience : and , that : which • they ' hav^ 
be§tQwcd/G;n our prisonersiwho have unfortundtely fallen 
into their, hands. It is a dictate of humanity -and behev* 
olence, after gheathjng.the sword, to relieve andi meliorate 
the condition of the vanquished prisoner. ■■ •;''!■ ' ' ■ 
/ On onC: occasion, whileili thepresenlceof GetteraliWashj 
ington, LorcJCornwalJis, was standing, with Ms heiad tm* 
covered, his .excellency said <to. him, .politely,! '')'■ My lord, 
you had better (be., covered from the. Goldi;''i;his-l0(rdshipj 
applying. his hand to'shis! head,i ir6piied,';^'/It.maitteris:n€)t!, 
sir, what:bcGO{nes <^f, thisi Mad meav.V i i/rrr/i .•'wi-;.;iiu' -■■'.■i 
.^^ue»i5^r;r3,df(— While biit soldi era twere Ib&ding a qiU'an- 
tity, of bonibs^^nd- shotionr.board of trhneporte,' a ifch^ll 
burst,, by :Which; oniC' iman uwas •■ unfortuniatel|yi killed^ iand 
two .dangerojisly Woundedj It is I much to 'be ilamented 
that these ibrav^, rtieuv whose lives i hkive ■ been |!)reServed 
through, the- dangers. of the siege,- should meet their ad' 
verse fate in such a manner. . Order-s are now received for 
our regiment of infantry to embark on board 'the Dili-; 
gence^ a Krenoh . frigate of thirty-two : gUns, commanded 
by CaptainCleoughnaughj bound ' up ' the Chesapeake, to 
the head, of Elk , , ri vjsr. ; Major Nathan i Eice command* 
ourrggiment*; >,iw!;'i;.-.L j^win j'vvwi.. •• i.u < ,:,ii ...;■■■ ii ■■^ 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1781. 3Q3 

December. — We sailed from York river on the 4th of 
November, and in consequence of severe storms and con- 
trary winds, our voyage was very unpleasant, and pro- 
tracted to sixteen days, which has often been performed 
in three. Captain Cleoughnaugh and his officers were 
very polite and accommodating; -we dined constantly at 
the table of the captain, and shared with him in his store 
of wine, &c. It happened unfortunately that a few days 
after we left York, four of our soldiers were seized with 
the small-pox, and having on board about eighty men 
who were liable to receive the infection, they were 'with 
several officers put on the Virginia shore, to march round 
by land. We disembarked at the head of Elk, on the 
20th of November, where we met with our horses, and 
on the 24th we commenced our march to the highlands, 
near West Point. Passed through Philadelphia, Trenton, 
Princeton, Bonbrook and Morristown, and on the 7th in- 
stant crossed the Hudson at King's ferry. On account 
of the inclemency of the season we have suffered exceed- 
ingly from cold, wet and fatigue, during our long march. 
But we return in triumph to rejoin our respective regi- 
ments, and enjoy a constant interchange of congratulations 
with our friends, on the glorious and brilliant success of 
our expedition, which closes the campaign. This event 
reflects the highest honor on our combined arms; it will 
adorn the pages of our history, and we fondly hope it will 
be attended with the most favorable consequences, in 
bringing this long-protracted and distressing war to a 
happy termination. It will be to me a source of inex- 
pressible satisfaction that I have had an opportunity of 
participating in the siege and capture of a British army. 
It is among the blessed privileges and richest incidents of 
my life. I have for several days been afflicted with in- 
flammatory rheumatism, attended with excruciating pains. 
Having no other covering than canvas tents, and the 
weather being extremely cold, my sufferings have been 
almost insupportable; but I have much less reason to 
complain than to be grateful to a kind Providence, that I 
have enjoyed uninterrupted health during my seven years 
of military service. 

Since my return, I am happy to learn that my frienl 
Major Trescott, of our regiment, with a detachment of owe 

Y 



304 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1781. 

hundred men, crossed the Sound to Long Island on the 
3d of October, and completely surprised the enemy's fort 
Slonge, making two captains, one lieutenant, and eighteen 
rank and file prisoners ; of the enemy two were killed and 
two wounded; of the Americans one only was wounded. 
Two double fortified four-pounders were damaged, one 
brass three-pounder, with a number of small-arms, ammu- 
nition, clothing, English goods, &c., were brought off. 
This enterprise was conducted with much address and gal- 
lantry, reflecting great honor on the commander and his 
little party. 

By report from the northern department, the British 
having projected an attack on the frontiers of New York 
state, were advancing towards Albany through the settle- 
ments on the Mohawk river, and committing great depre- 
dations among the inhabitants. The party was commanded 
by Major Ross, and consisted of six hundred regular ran- 
gers and Indians. Having, on the 25th of October, ad- 
vanced as far as Johnstown, they were met by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Willet, at the head of a regiment of New York 
levies, and some militia, with about sixty Oneida Indians. 
This officer has frequently given evidence of his valor 
and gallantry, and on this occasion he was no less fortu- 
nate in his enterprise. Having directed Major Rowly, 
with a body of militia, by a circuitous movement, to get 
into the rear of the enemy, he made a vigorous attack in 
front, and they were soon totally defeated and driven into 
the wilderness. The next day a party of our people and 
Indians followed in pursuit till they were worn down by 
fatigue. It was impossible to ascertain the number of the 
enemy's slain, but their loss must have been very con- 
siderable. Fifty-two prisoners were taken and brought in, 
and Major Ross, with the remainder of his party, escaped 
into the barren wilderness, where they must have suffered 
extremely for want of provisions. The loss on the side 
of Colonel AYillet is one lieutenant and twelve rank and 
file killed; one captain, two lieutenants, and twenty rank 
and file wounded. Colonel Willet's victory is rendered 
more important by the fall of the notorious Major Butler, 
who has long, as a partizan officer with the savages, been 
a scourge to the frontier inhabitants. He was wounded 
by one of our Indians, and on asking for quarters, " Yes, 



MlLlTxVRY JOURNAL, 1781. 305 

Cherry- Valley quarter^'''' said the Indian, and immediately 
despatched him. He alluded to Butler's having refused 
quarter to our people at Cherry-Valley, in November, 1778. 
When Congress received General Washington's letter, 
announcing the surrender of the British army, they re- 
solved, that they would at two o'clock go in procession to 
the Dutch Lutheran Church, and return thanks to Al- 
mighty God, for crowning the allied arms with success, 
by the surrender of the whole British army, under the 
command of Earl Cornwallis. They also issued a pro- 
clamation for religiously observing throughout the United 
States the 13th of December, as a day of thanksgiving 
and prayer. They resolved, that thanks should be given 
to General Washington, Count Rocham.beau, Count de 
Grasse, and the officers of the different corps, and the men 
under their command, for their services in the reduction 
of Lord Cornwallis. Also, resolved, to erect in Yorktown 
a marble column, adorned with emblems of the alliance 
between the United States and his Most Christian Majesty, 
and inscribed with a succinct narrative of the surrender 
of the British army. Two stands of colors, taken from 
the royal troops under the capitulation, were presented to 
General Washington in the name of the United States in 
Congress assembled; and two pieces of field ordnance, so 
tnken, were by a resolve of Congress to be presented by 
General Washington to Count Rochambeau, with a short 
memorandum engraved thereon, that "Congress were in- 
duced to present them from considerations of the illustrious 
part which he bore in effecting the surrender." 

The Congress of the United States, the assembly and 
council of the state of Pennsylvania, and a number of 
principal gentlemen of various orders, having been invited 
by the minister of France to be present at the praises 
offered to Heaven in the Catholic Church, on occasion of 
the late glorious success of the allied arms, the Abbe Ban- 
dole, Almoner to the Embassy of His Most Christian 
Majesty, ascended the pulpit, and addressed this august 
assembly in the following discourse; after which a Te Deura 
was sung. 

The occasion was in this hemisphere singular and affect- 
ing; and the discourse itself is so elegant and animated 
in the French, so warm with those sentiments of piety and 



306 MILITAKY JOUENAL, 1781. 

gratitude to our Divine Benefactor, in which good men 
of all countries accord, and so evidently dictated by the 
spirit of that new friendship and alliance from which such 
important advantages have been derived to the rights of 
America, as must give pleasure to every serious and can- 
did friend to our glorious cause. 

"Gentlemen: A numerous people assembled to render thanks to the 
Almighty for his mercies, is one of the most affecting objects, and wor- 
thy. the attention of the Supreme Being. While camps resound with 
triumphal acclamations, while nations rejoice in victory and glory, the 
most honorable office a minister of the altar can fill, is to be the organ 
by which public gratitude is conveyed to the Omnipotent. 

"Those miracles which he once wrought for his chosen people are 
renewed in our favor; and it would be equally ungrateful and impious 
not to acknowledge, that the event which lately confounded our enemies, 
and frustrated their designs, was the wonderful work of that God who 
guards your liberties. 

"And who but he could so combine the circumstances which led to 
success'? We have seen our enemies push forward amid perils almost 
innumerable — amid obstacles almost insurmountable — to the spot which 
was designed to witness their disgrace; yet they eagerly sought it, as 
their theatre of triumph! Blind as they were, they bore hunger, thirst, 
and inclement skies, poured their blood in battle against brave republi- 
cans, and crossed immense regions to confine themselves in another 
Jericho, whose walls were fated to fall before another Joshua. It is he, 
whose voice commands the winds, the seas, and the seasons, who formed 
a junction on the same day, in the same hour, between a formidable fleet 
from the south, and an army rushing from the north, like an impetuous 
torrent. Who but he, in whose hands are the hearts of men, could in- 
spire the allied troops w:ith the friendship, the confidence, the tenderness 
of brothers? How is it that two nations, once divided, jealous, inimical, 
and nursed in reciprocal prejudices, are now become so closely united 
as to form but one ? Worldlings would say, it is the wisdom, the virtue, 
and moderation of their chiefs — it is a great national interest which has 
performed this prodigy. They will say, that to'the skill of the generals, 
to the courage of the troops, to the activity of the whole army, we must 
attribute this splendid success. Ah! they are ignorant that the com- 
bining of so many fortunate circumstances is an emanation from the 
All-perfect Mind ; that courage, that skill, that activity bear the sacred 
impression of him who is divine. 

" For how many fevors have we not to thank him during the course 
of the present year? Your union, which was at first supported by jus- 
tice alone, has been consolidated by your courage, and the knot which 
ties you together is become indissoluble by the accession of all the 
states, and the unanimous voice of all the confederates. You present 
to the universe the noble sight of a society which, founded in equality 
and justice, secure to the individuals who compose it the utmost happi- 
ness which can be derived from human institutions. This advantage, 
which so many other nations have been unable to procure, even alter 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1782. 



807 



ages of efforts and misery, is granted by Divine Providence to the United 
States; and his adorable decrees have marl<ed tlie present moment for 
the completion of that memorable, happy revolution which has taken 
place in this extensive continent. While your councils were thus ac- 
quiring new energy, rapid and multiplied successes have crowned your 
arms in the Southern states. 

" We have seen the unfortunate citizens of these states forced from 
their peaceful abodes; after a long and cruel captivity, old men, women 
and cliildren thrown, without mercy, into a foreign country. Master of 
their lands and their slaves, amid his temporary atliuence, a superb victor 
rejoiced in their distresses. But Philadelphia has witnessed their patience 
and fortitude; they have found here anotiier home, and, though driven 
from their native soil, they, have blessed God that he has delivered them 
fiom the presence of their enemy, and conducted them to a country 
where evtry just and feeling man has stretched out the helping hand of 
benevolence. Heaven rewards their virtues. These large states are at 
once wrested from the foe. The rapacious soldier has been compelled 
to take refuge behind his ramparts, and oppression has vanished like 
those phantoms which are dissipated by the morning ray. 

"On this solemn occasion, we might renew our thanks to the God of 
buttles for the success he has granted to the arms of your allies and 
your friends, by land and by sea, through the other parts of the globe. 
But let us not recall those events, which too clearly prove how much 
the hearts of our enemies have been hardened. • Let us prostrate our- 
selves at the altar, and implore the God of mercy to suspend his ven- 
geance, to spare them in his wrath, to inspire them with sentiments of 
justice and moderation, to terminate their obstinacy and error, and to 
ordain that your victories be followed by peace and tranquillity. Let us 
beseech him to continue to shed on the councils of the king, your ally, 
that spirit of wisdom, of justice, and of courage, which has rendered his 
reign so glorious. — Let us entreat him to maintain in each of the states 
that intelligence by which the United States are inspired. Let us return 
him thanks that a faction, whose rebellion he has corrected, now de- 
prived of support, is annihilated. Let us offer him pure hearts, unsoiled 
by private hatred or public dissension; and let us, with one will and one 
voice, pour forth to the Lord that hymn of praise, by which Christians 
celebrate their gratitude and his glory." 

January, 1782. — The huts which we now occupy were 
erected the last winter by some of the Massachusetts 
troops, a short distance from the banks of the Hudson, 
and called New Boston ; they aftbrd us a very convenient 
and comfortable accommodation. Orders having been 
received for all the troops that have not gone through the 
small-pox to be inoculated, I commenced this business a 
liew weeks since, and inoculated about two hundred, in- 
cluding women and children. Their accommodations were 
not such as their circumstances required ; we were unpro- 
vided with proper articles of diet, and a considerable 



303 - MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

number were seized with putrid fever, which proved fatal 
in several instances. 

March 10th. — A singular incident occurred in the sixth 
regiment to-day. Two soldiers were eating soup together, 
and one forbid the other eating any more; as he did not 
desist, his comrade gave him a blow with his fist on the 
side of his head, on which he fell to the ground and in- 
stantly expired. On close examination, I could discover 
no bruise or injury which could enable me to account sat- 
isfactorily for his death. 

An unhappy controversy has subsisted for some time 
between Captain H. and Lieutenant S., both of the first 
Massachusetts regiment. Captain H. was esteemed a man 
of modest merit and unexceptionable character; he has 
long commanded a company, and proved himself brave in 
the field and a good disciplinarian. Lieutenant S., though 
a good, active officer, is assuming, high-spirited, and values 
himself on what he deems the principles of honor and the 
gentleman. Having imbibed a strong prejudice against 
his captain, and probably calculating on promotion, he 
took unjustifiable liberties, and, in violation of honor and 
decency, aspersed his character with unfounded calumnies. 
The friends of the parties interposed, and endeavored to 
effect a reconciliation. S. affected an acquiescence; in 
consequence of which, the contention apparently subsided. 
But still retaining in his breast the old grudge, he renewed 
his calumnies, and was determined to provoke his captain 
to a personal combat; and though contrary to his nature 
and to his principles, he was compelled to the alternative. 
Captain H. obtained a furlough, visited his friends in Mas- 
sachusetts, made his will, and arranged his worldly affairs. 
Having returned to camp, it was agreed to meet in the 
field according to the rules of duelling. The tragical result 
is, that Captain H. received a mortal wound, and died in 
three hours after, and S. escaped with a wound in his arm. 
Thus has this imperious young man, to gratify a sordid 
passion, sent into eternity a man whom he ought to have 
respected as his superior in every point of view — deprived 
the public of a valuable officer, and a wife and three chil- 
dren of a husband and father. Barbarous and cruel mur- 
derer! you have violated the laws of God and man. Should 
you escape punishment in this life, what must be your 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 309 

doom in the awful day of retribution? The friends of 
Captain H. in Massachusetts manifested their abhorrence 
of this murderous deed, and endeavored by a legal pro- 
cess to bring S. to condign punishment. They procured 
a sheriff" in the state of New York, where the crime was 
committed, who repaired to camp with assistance, took the 
opportunity when the regiment was on parade, and de- 
manded of the colonel that S. should be delivered up to 
the civil authority. The colonel reluctantly pointed out 
the man, the sheriff" advanced towards him, and S., soldier 
like, unsheathed his sword and stood in defiance. The 
sheriff', unaccustomed to the sword, was intimidated, and 
finally retired from the field without the prisoner.* 

April 6th. — Having completed the inoculation of the 
soldiers, and attended them through the small-pox, and 
my professional duty being considerably diminished, I 
have obtained a furlough for forty-five days to visit my 
friends in Massachusetts, and shall to-morrow commence 
my journey to Boston, in company with my friend Doc- 
tor Eustis. 

Hay 80th. — I returned to New Boston last evening from 
Boston, having been absent forty-four days, which is one 
day short of my furlough; our journey to Boston occupied 
nine days, being impeded by foul weather and bad roads. 
We were on horseback, attended by a servant, and took 
our route through Connecticut and Providence. Here we 
spent a pleasant evening with Lieutenant-Governor Bowen ; 
he and Doctor Eustis engaged in conversation respecting 
the properties of coffee; Governor Bowen asserted that it 
is a sedative, while the doctor contended for its stimulant 
eff'ects, and he certainly had the best of the argument. 
Having arrived at Boston, Doctor Eustis kindly introduced 
me to his father's family, where I received hospitable and 
polite civilities. I proceeded to Plymouth and Barnstable, 
where I had the satisfaction of a family interview, after an 
absence of four years. Great preparations are making at 
West Point, to celebrate the birth of the young Dauphin 

* In the year 1786, a regiment was raised in the state of Massachu- 
setts for the purpose of an Indian expedition. Lieutenant S. presented 
his pretensions as a candidate for a commission, but notwithstanding a 
respectable recommendation from several general officers, the governor 
and council rejected the application with disdain. 



^IQ MILITAEY JOURNAL. 1782. 

of France; being in alliance witli his Most Christian Ma- 
jesty, propriety requires that we should celebrate the joy- 
ous event of the birth of his first son. His Excellency 
General Washington has, in general orders, given an in- 
vitation to all officers of the army, and they are requested 
to invite any friends or acquaintance they may have in 
the country to participate in the grand festival. 

On the 6th instant a dangerous mutiny was discovered 
among the soldiers of the Connecticut line. It had been 
conducted with so much address and secrecy, that it was 
on the point of execution before it was divulged. The 
defection was general in the line: the soldiers had deter- 
mined at reveille the next morning to have marched from 
their cantonments with arms, &c., complete, for Fishkill, 
where they intended to take a number of field-pieces with 
ammunition and provisions, and proceed to Hartford, and 
there demand of the Assembly that justice which they 
consider their due. At the moment the officers were re- 
tiring to bed, a faithful soldier, who was a waiter, informed 
his officer that he could not retire to rest without divulg- 
ing an event which would assuredly take place the next 
morning at day-light. The most guilty soldiers were im- 
mediately seized and confined, and the ringleader was sen- 
tenced to sufi:er death, which happily frustrated the whole 
design. It is but just to observe, that the Connecticut line 
of troops have during the war, except in this instance, 
conducted in a very exemplary and meritorious manner. 

June 1st. — Yesterday was celebrated the birth of the 
Dauphin of France, by a magnificent festival. The edifice 
under which the company assembled and partook of the 
entertainment was erected on the plain at West Point. 
The situation was romantic, and the occasion novel and 
interesting. Major Yillefranche, an ingenious French 
engineer, has been employed with one thousand men 
about ten days in constructing the curious edifice. It is 
composed of the simple materials which the common trees 
in this vicinity afford. It is about six hundred feet in 
length and thirty feet wide, supported by a grand colon- 
nade of one hundred and eighteen pillars, made of the 
trunks of trees. The covering of the roof consists of 
boughs, or branches of trees curiously interwoven, and the 
same materials form the walls, leaving the ends entiiely 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1782. 31 1 

open. On the inside, every pillar was encircled with 
muskets and ba3'onets, bound round in a fanciful and 
handsome manner, and the whole interior was decorated 
with evergreens, with American and French military 
colors, and a variety of emblems and devices, all adjusted 
in such style as to beautify the whole interior of the fabric. 
This superb structure, in symmetry of proportion, neat- 
ness of workmanship, and elegance of arrangement, has 
seldom perhaps been surpassed on any temporary occasion ; 
it affected the spectators with admiration and pleasure, and 
reflects much credit on the taste and ability of Major Yil- 
lefranche. Several appropriate mottos decorated the grand 
edifice, pronouncing benedictions on the dauphin and hap- 
piness to the two allied nations. The whole army was 
paraded on the contiguous hills on both sides of the river, 
forming a circle of several miles in open view of tln^ ]iublic 
edifice, and at the given signal of firing three eauuun, the 
regimental ofiicers all left their commands, and repaired 
to the building to partake of the entertainment which had 
been prepared by order of the commander-in-chief. At 
five o'clock, dinner being on the table, his Excellency 
General Washington and lady and suite, the principal 
officers of the army and their ladies, Governor Clinton 
and his lady, and a number of respectable characters from 
the states of New York and New Jersey, moved from 
Major-General McDougall's quarters through the line 
formed by Colonel Crane's regiment of artillery to the 
arbor, where more than five hundred gentlemen and ladies 
partook of a magnificent^ festival. A martial band 
charmed our senses with music, while we feasted our ap- 
petites and gazed with admiration on the illustrious guests 
and the novel spectacle exhibited to our view. The cloth 
being removed, thirteen appropriate toasts were drank, 
each one being announced by the discharge of thirteen 
cannon and accompanied b}' music. The guests retired 
from the table at seven o'clock, and the regimental officers 
repaired to their respective commands. The arbor was, 
in the evening, illuminated by a vast number of lights, 
which being arranged in regular and tasteful order, ex- 
hibited a scene vieing in brilliancy with the starry firm- 
ament. The officers having rejoined their regiments, 
thirteen cannon were again fired as a prelude to a general 



312 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

feu de joie, which immediately succeeded throughout the 
whole line of the army on the surrounding hills; and be- 
ing three times repeated, the mountains resounded and 
echoed like tremendous peals of thunder, and the flashing 
from thousands of fire-arms in the darkness of evening, 
could be compared only to the most vivid flashes of light- 
ning from the clouds. The feu de joie was immediately 
followed by three shouts of acclamation and benediction 
for the dai(2:>hm, by the united voices of the whole army 
on all sides. At half-past eleven o'clock, the celebration 
was concluded by the exhibition of fire-works, very in- 
geniously constructed of various figures. His Excellency 
General Washington was unusually cheerful. He attended 
the ball in the evening, and with a dignified and graceful 
air, having Mrs. Knox for his partner, carried down a 
dance of twenty couple in the arbor on the green grass. 

June 20ih. — Dined by invitation with Major-General 
Howe, at his quarters at Eobinson's house, with several 
respectable guests. 

23c/. — The officers of our regiment prepared an enter- 
tainment and invited a respectable party. At three o'clock 
we repaired to an arbor erected for the occasion, under 
which a long table was spread and a variety of dishes ar- 
ranged in proper style; we prided ourselves on our camp 
dinner, as being almost on a par with that of a country 
gentleman. A band of military music attended, and we 
finished with toasts and songs in social glee. 

July. — Our brigade moved out of huts on the first in- 
stant, and encamped at Nelson's point, on the bank of the 
Hudson, opposite West Point. 

On the 4th, the anniversary of the declaration of our 
Independence was celebrated in camp. The whole army 
was formed on the banks of the Hudson on each side of 
the river. The signal of thirteen cannon being given at 
West Point, the troops displayed and formed in a line, 
when a general feu de joie took place throughout the 
whole army. 

A most barbarous and horrid transaction of the royal 
refugees, a few weeks since, has excited universal indig- 
nation throughout the army. It is the cruel murder of Cap- 
tain Joshua Huddy, of New Jersey, who, being command- 
ing officer of a detachment stationed at the block-house in 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 818 

Monmouth county, was attacked by a party of refugees 
from New York on Sunday, the 24th March, and after 
bravely defending himself till he had expended his am- 
munition, was taken prisoner and carried into New York. 
He was closely confined till April 8th, when, without even 
the form of a trial, he was told that he was ordered to be 
hanged; accordingly, on the 12th, he was carried over to 
the Jersey shore, by a party of refugees under the direc- 
tion of one Captain Lippincot, and there hung on a tree, 
and left with the following label affixed on his breast: 
" We the refugees, having with grief long beheld the cruel 
murders of our brethern, and finding nothing but such 
measures daily carrying into execution — we, therefore, 
determine not to suffer without taking vengeance for 
the numerous cruelties; and thus begin, and, I say, may 
those lose their liberty who do not follow on, and have 
made use of Captain Huddy as the first object to present 
to your view; and further determine to hang man for man 
while there is a refugee existing. Up goes Huddy for 
Philip White:' 

The refugees pretend to justify this violent act by assert- 
ing that Captain Huddy, some time before, made prisoner 
of a certain Philip White, of their party, and after having 
maimed him, broke both his legs, and tauntingly bid him 
run. But this is a vile falsehood ; it has been fully proved 
that Captain Huddy was closely confined a prisoner at New 
York at the time and for viany days before White was taken. 
A letter dated at Freehold, MonTnouth county, 15th April 
last, and published in the Trenton paper, relates that White 
was taken the last of March, and after tokens of surren- 
dering as a prisoner, he took up a musket, and killed a 
son of Colonel Hendrickson; but being taken by some 
light-horse, and while they were conducting him to Free- 
hold, he again attempted to make his escape; and being 
called on several times to surrender, and continuing to run, 
when leaping into a bog impassable by the horse, he re- 
ceived a stroke on his head with a sword which killed him 
instantly. The above facts were proved by affidavits of the 
persons who were present, and by the voluntary testimony 
of one Aaron, who was taken prisoner with the said White. 
The wanton execution of Captain Huddy so exasperated the 
inhabitants of that part of New Jersey, that they presented 



3-14 MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1782. 

a respectful memorial to General Washington, claiming 
justice for the murder of one of their fellow-citizen^, or 
retaliation in case justice should be refused. General 
Washington immediately addressed Sir Henry Clinton on 
the subject, and assured him that unless the perpetrators 
of the murder were delivered up, he should be under the 
painful necessity of retaliating. In the meantime, all the 
general officers, and those commanding brigades or regi- 
ments, were ordered to assemble at General Heath's quar- 
ters, to deliberate and decide on the following questions: 
1st, Shall resort be had to retaliation for the murder of 
Captain Huddy ? 2d, On whom shall it be inflicted ? 3d, 
How shall the victim be designated? In order that each 
officer should be free from all bias and uninfluenced by 
each other, General Washington ordered that, without 
conversing on the questions, each one should write his 
own opinion, and address the same sealed up to the com- 
mander-in-chief By this method his excellency obtained 
the spontaneous expression of the feelings of each indi- 
vidual officer, and they were unanimously of opinion that 
retaliation ought to be resorted to; that it should be in- 
flicted on an officer of equal rank with Captain Huddy, 
and that the victim be designated by lot. Accordingly 
the painful alternative was adopted: the names of the 
British captains, our prisoners, were collected, a fair and 
impartial lot was drawn, and it fell on Captain Asgill, of 
the British guards, a gentleman of a noble English family, 
an only son of his parents, and only nineteen years of 
age, to be the unhappy victim. Next to the execution 
of Major Andre, this event occasioned the most painful 
sensations to the mind of the benevolent and humane 
Washington; his anxiety and poignant distress it is said 
were very visible. But still, firm and inflexible in his 
determination to obtain satisfaction, or pursue a course 
that will tend to deter others from a repetition of crimes so 
derogatory to the laws of humanity, of war, and of justice, 
he addressed Congress on the subject, and communicated 
to that body the New Jersey memorial. They unan- 
imously approved of the firm and judicious conduct of the 
commander-in-chief, and assured him of their firmest sup- 
port in his purpose of exemplary retaliation. 

General Washington was anxious to alleviate the mel- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 315- 

ancholy condition of Captain Asgill as mucli as possible, 
and -directed the officer of his guard to treat him with 
every tender attention and politeness which his rank, for- 
tune, and connexions, together with his unfortunate state, 
demanded, that is not inconsistent with his perfect security. 
He ordered also that Captain Ludlow, Asgill's friend, 
should be permitted to go into New York with such repre- 
sentations as they may please to make to Sir Guy Carleton, 
who has now succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as commander- 
in-chief of the British army. Captain Asgill, in addressing 
General Washington, thus expresses himself: "I cannot 
conclude this letter without expressing my gratitude to 
your excellency for ordering Colonel Dayton to favor me 
as much as my situation will admit of, and in justice to 
him I must acknowledge the feeling and attentive man- 
ner in which these commands have been executed." How 
awful is the condition of this innocent young gentleman, 
doomed to suffer an ignominious death for the crime of an 
infamous miscreant who so justly deserves the halter! 
Dreadful indeed must be that suspense when one's life is 
made to poise on a point so acute and delicate that an 
uncertain contingency shall decide the issue. General 
Washington having received information by letter, that 
a court-martial was appointed by Sir Henry Clinton, even 
before he received the letter of complaint, for the trial of 
Captain Lippincot and his abettors in the death of Captain 
Huddy, waited to be apprised of the issue, as Sir Guy 
Carleton had assured him of the fullest satisfaction. At 
length, however, the proceedings of the court-martial were 
communicated, and it was finished by the following declar- 
ation: "The court having considered the evidence for 
and against the captain, and it appearing, that, though 
Joshua Huddy was executed without proper authority, 
what the prisoner did, was not the effect of malice or ill- 
will, but proceeded from a conviction that it was his duty 
J.O obey the orders of the board of directors of associated 
loyalists, and his not doubting their having full authority 
to give such orders, the court is of opinion that he is not 
guilty of the murder laid to his charge, and therefore acquit 
him." Never perhaps was there a more complete bur- 
lesque on all courts of justice! never a more disgraceful pro- 
ceeding to exculpate a criminal from merited punishment. 



316 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

It appeared in the course of the trial that Governor Frank- 
lin, president of the board of associated loyalists, gave 
Lippincot a verbal order to hang Captain Huddy without 
a trial, and without a crime alleged against him! The 
order is obeyed in the most unfeeling manner, yet the per- 
petrator is foimd notgidlty^ and therefore acquitted. Sir Guy 
Carleton requested of General Washington a passport for 
Chief-Justice Smith to repair to the American head-quar- 
ters in order to lay before the commander-in-chief the 
proceedings of the court-martial, with other documents and 
explanations which he had no doubt would be satisfactory. 
His excellency declined an interview with Mr. Smith, "as 
the question is purely of a military nature, and reducible 
to tlie single point whether the perpetrator of the wanton 
and cruel murder of Huddy is to be given up, or a British 
officer to suffer in his place." But he proposed to send 
Major-General Heath to meet a British officer of equal 
rank, if agreeable to the English commander. This was 
also declined, and it appears that both Sir Henry Clinton 
and Sir Guy Carleton disapproved of the acquittal of Lip- 
pincot. Sir Guy, in a letter which accompanied the pro- 
ceedings of the court, expressed in unequivocal terms to 
General Washington that, notwithstanding the acquittal, 
he reprobated the act, and gave assurances of prosecuting 
a further inquiry. Thus stands at present this very unfor- 
tunate affair, and Captain Asgill remains in custody to 
await the final issue. 

In order to avoid breaking the chain of this interesting 
narrative, I proceed, in anticipation in point of time, to the 
final conclusion of the melancholy catastrophe. General 
Washington on the 19th of August made a representation 
to Congress respecting the whole business for their consid- 
eration, and soon after directed that Captain Asgill be put 
on his parole at Morristown, till further orders; and he 
was allowed the indulgence of riding for his liealth and 
recreation several miles into the country in any direction, 
even within a few miles of the British lines, accompanied 
by his' friend Major Gordon. 

On the 7th of October, General Washington, in a letter 
to the secretary of war, expressed his private opinion that 
Captain Asgill ought to be liberated from his duresse, and 
be permitted to return to his friends in England. SutH- 



MILITARY JOURNAL. 1782. 31 7 

cient time had now elapsed since the arrest of Captain 
Asgill for the distressing intelligence to reach his parents, 
and to interest the attention and solicitude of almost all 
Europe. The father of young Asgill was languishing with 
mortal sickness. Lady Asgill, in the agony of her soul, 
with her family in the deepest distress and sorrow, pros- 
trated themselves at the feet of their king and queen, to 
implore their compassion and assistance. She next had 
recourse to the beneficence of the illustrious sovereigns of 
France, through the medium of the celebrated Count de 
Vergennes, though the two nations were at war. Her 
incomparably pathetic and eloquent letter could not fail 
of producing the desired effect: it reached the hearts, and 
interested the sympathies of those exalted philanthropists 
to whom it was addressed. A letter was immediately 
despatched from Count de Vergennes to General Wash- 
ington, dated July 27th, and this was accompanied by that 
which the count had received from Lady Asgill. "Your 
excellency," says the count, "will not read this letter (Lady 
Asgill's) without being extremely affected. It thus affected 
the king and queen, to whom I communicated it. The 
goodness of their majesties' hearts induces them to desire 
that the inquietudes of an unfortunate mother may be 
calmed- and her tenderness reassured. — There is one con- 
sideration, sir, which, though not decisive, may have an 
influence on your resolution. Captain Asgill is doubtless 
your prisoner, but he is "among those whom the arms of 
the king contributed to put into your hands at York- 
town. — Though this circumstance does not operate as a 
safeguard, it, however, justilies the interest I permit myself 
to take in this affair. — In seeking to deliver Mr. Asgill from 
the fate which threatens him, I am far from engaging you 
to seek another victim; the pardon, to be periectly satis- 
factory, must be entire." — Copies of these letters being 
transmitted with one from his excellency to Congress, they 
resolved, November 7th, that the commander-in-chief be 
directed to set Captain Asgill at libert3^ A more grateful 
duty could scarcely be assigned ; it relieved his mind from 
a weight which had long oppressed and preyed on his 
spirits. He immediately transmitted to Captain Asgill a 
copy of the resolve of Congress, accompanied with a pass- 
port for him to go into New York, and also a letter which 



318 MILITAKY JOUKNAL, 1782. 

closes as follows: "I cannot take leave of 3-011, sir, without 
assuring you that, in whatever light my agency in this 
unpleasant affiiir may be viewed, 1 was never influenced 
through the whole of it by sanguinary motives, but by 
what I conceived to be a sense of my duty, which loudly 
called on me to take measures, however disagreeable, to 
prevent a repetition of those enormities which have been 
the subject of discussion. And that this important end 
is likely to be answered without the effusion of the blood 
of an innocent person is not a greater relief to you than 
it is, sir, to 

"Your most obedient, humble servant, 

"George Washington."* 

* From the " Historical and Literary Memoirs and Anecdotes, selected from 
the Corresjjondence (f Baron de Griinm and Diderot:''^ 

"You c;in well remember the general interest Sir Asgill inspired, 

a young olHtrer in the English guards, who was made prisoner and con- 
demned to death by the Americans in reprisal for the death of Captain 
Huddy, who was hanged by the order of Captain Lippincot. The public 
prints all over Europe resounded with the unhappy catastrophe, wliich 
for eight months impended over the life of this young otKcer. The ex- 
treme grief of his mother, the sort of delirium which clouded the mind 
of his sister at hearing of the dreadful fate which menaced the life of her 
brother, interested every feeling mind in the fate of this unfortunate 
family. The general curiosity, with regard to the events of the war, 
yielded, if I may so say, to the. interest wiiich young Asgill inspired, and 
the first question asked of all vessels that arrived from any port in North 
America, was always an inquiry into the fate of this young, man. It is 
known that Asgill was thrice conducted to the foot of the gibbet, and 
that thrice General Washington, who could not bring himself to commit 
this crime of policy without a great struggle, suspended his punishment; 
his humanity and justice made him hope tliat the English general would 
deliver over to him the author of the crime which Asgill was condemned 
to expiate. Clinton, either ill obeyed, or insensible to the fate of young 
Asgill, persisted in refusing to deliver up the barbarous Lippincot. In 
vain the king of England, at whose feet this unfortunate family fell 
down, had given orders to surrender up to the Americans th4 author of 
a crime which dishonored the English nation ; George 111. was not 
obeyed. In vain the United States of Holland entreated of the United 
States of America the pardon of the unhappy Asgill; the gibbet, erected 
in front of his prison, did not cease to otl'er to his eyes those dreadful 
preparatives more awful than death itself In these circumstances, and 
almost reduced to despair, the mother of the unfortunate victim bethought 
herself that the minister of a king armed against her own nation might 
succeed in obtaining that which was refused to her king. Lady Asgill 
wrote to the Count de Vergennes a letter, the eloquence of which, independ- 
ently of oratorical forms, is that of all people and all languages, because 
it derives its power from the first and noblest sentiments of our nature. 



MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1782. 319 

The tour of duty at Dobbs' ferry having fallen to our 
regiment, we marched from Nelson's Point on the 24th, 

"The two memorials which are subjoined, merit being preserved as 
historical monuments. 

Letter from Lady Asgill to the Comte de Vergennes. 

" Sir : If the politeness of the French court will permit a stranger to 
address it, it cunnot be doubted but that she who utiites in herself all 
the more delicate sensations with which an individual can be penetrated, 
will be received favorably by a nobleman who reflects honor not only on 
his nation, but on human nature. The subject on which I implore your 
assistance, is too heart-rending to be dwelt on; most probably, the 
public report of it has already reached you; this relieves me from the 
burthen of so mournful a duty. My son, my only son, dear to me as he 
is brave, amiable as he is beloved, only nineteen years of age, a prisoner 
of war, in consequence of the capitulation of Yorktown, is at present 
confined in America as an object of reprisal. — Shall the innocent share 
the fate of the guilty : Figure to yourself, sir, the situation of a family 
in these circumstances. Surrounded as I am with objects of distress, 
bowed down by fear and grief, words are wanting to e.xpress what I feel, 
and to paint such a scene of misery: my husband, given over by his 
physicians some hours before the arrival of this news, not in a condition 
to be' informed of it; my daughter attacked by a fever, accompanied wiih 
delirium; speaiung of her brother in tones of wildness, and without an 
interval of reason, unless it be to listen to some circumstances which 
may console her heart. Let your sensibility, sir, paint to you my pro- 
found, my inexpressible misery, and plead in my favor; a word, a word 
from you, like a voice from Heaven, would liberate us from desolation, 
from the last degree of misfortune. I know how far General Washing- 
ton reveres your character. Tell him only that you wish my son re- 
stored to liberty, and he will restore him to his desponding family; he 
will restore him to happiness. The virtue and courage of my son will 
justify this act of clemency. His honor, sir, led him to America; he 
was born to abundance, to independence, and to the happiest prospects. 
Permit me, once more, to entreat the interference of your high influence 
in favor of innocence, and in the cause of justice and humanity. De- 
spatch, sir, a letter from France to General Washington, and favor me 
with a copy of it, that it may be transmitted from hence. I feel the 
whole weight of the liberty taken in presenting this request; but I 
feel confident, whether granted or not, that you will pity the distress 
by which it was suggested; your humanity will drop a tear on my fault, 
and blot it out for ever. 

"May that Heaven which I implore grant that you may never need 
the consolation which you have it in your power to bestow on 

" Theresa Asgill." 

Second Letter of Lady Asgill to the Comte de Vergennes. 

"Sir: Exhausted by long suffering, overpowered by an excess of un- 
expected happiness, confirad to my bed by weakness and languor, bent 
z 



320 



HILITAKY JOURNAL, 17S2. 



crossed the river at King's ferry, and on the 25th en- 
camped near the block-house at this place. This after- 

to the earth by what I have undergone, my sensibility alone could sup- 
ply me with strength sufficient to address you. 

"Condescend, sir, to accept this feeble effort of my gratitude. It has 
been laid at the feet of the Almighty ; and believe me, it has been pre- 
sented with the same sincerity to you, sir, and to your illustrious sover- 
eigns ; by their august and salutary intervention, as by your own, a son 
is restored to me, to whom my own life was attached. I have the 
sweet assurance that my vows for jny protectors are heard by Heaven, 
to whom they are ardently offered; yes, sir, they will produce their effect 
before the dreadful and last tribunal, where I indulge in the hope that 
we shall both appear together; you to receive the recompense of your 
virtues; myself, that of my sufferings. I will raise my voice before that 
imposing tribunal, I will call for those sacred registers in which your 
humanity will be found recorded. I will pray that blessings m;iy be 
showered on your head, on him who, availing himself of tlie noblest 
privilege received from God — a privilege no otiier than divine — lias 
changed misery into happiness, has witiidrawn the sword from the in- 
nocent head, and restored the worthiest of sons to the most tender and 
unfortunate of mothers. 

"Condescend, sir, to accept this last tribute of gratitude due to your 
virtuous sentiments. Preserve this tribute, and may it go down to your 
posterity as a testimony of your sublime and exemplary beneficence to 
a stranger, whose nation was at war with your own; but these tender 
affections have not been destroyed by war. May this tribute bear tes- 
timony to my gratitude long after the hand that expresses it, with the 
heart which at this moment only vibrates with the vivacity of grateful 
sentiments, shall be reduced to dust; even to the last day of my exist- 
ence, it shall beat but to offer all the respect and all the gratitude witli 
which it is penetrated. " Theresa Asgill." 

Remarks. — The Baron de Grimm has unfortunately been led to make 
an erroneous statement respecting the treatment of Captain Asgill, 
which ought in justice to be corrected. It is difficult to account fur his 
assertion that, "It is known that Asgill was thrice conducted to the foot 
of the gibbet, and thrice General Washington, who could not bring him- 
self to commit this crime of policy without a great struggle, suspended 
bis punishment;" and again, "the gibbet, erected in front of his prison, 
did not cease to offer to his eyes those dreadful preparatives more awful 
than death itself." I can with the fullest confidence affirm, that a gibbet 
never was erected for Captain Asgill at any period of his confinement, and 
that no preparations whatever were made for his execul ion, except a seem e 
confinement for a short period, during which the utmost tenderness and 
polite civilities were bestowed on him, and for these he expressed his 
grateful acknowledgments in his letter to General Washington. It would 
be preposterous to suppose that the commander-in-chief could act a 
farcical part by exhibiting the machines of death, wiien it was altogether 
problematical whether an execution would be the final resort, and surely 
nothing could be less characteristic of Washington, than wantonly to 
torture the feelings of a prisoner with the horrors of death. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 321 

noon a flag of truce arrived here from New York with 
despatches for General Washington, which were immedi- 
ately forwarded to him. 

August 6th. — Flags are passing and repassing from this 
post to New York and back every day, and several gen- 
tlemen have been permitted to come out of that city. By 
the intelligence which they bring, corroborating those 
which we receive from other sources, commissioners are 
sent from the court of London to Paris, where they are to 
meet French and American commissioners for the import- 
ant purpose of negotiating a general peace. May God 
gram them success in bringing to America an honorable 
peace and national independence! A very considerable 
number of deserters have come out from New York within 
these few days past. 

31s^. — The army marched from their different quarters 
this morning and encamped at Verplank's point in the 
evening. Part of the troops came down the river in boats, 
which, being in motion and in regular order on the water, 
made a most beautiful appearance. I shall to-morrow 
commence a journey to Philadelphia, for the purpose of 
receiving a sum of money at the American Bank, for the 
payment of our regiment. 

/September 10th. — I returned last evening from Philadel- 
phia, where I met my very respectable friends Dr. Treat 
and Dr. Benney of the hospital, with whom I dined. 
Drank tea and spent the evening with Dr. Andrew Craige, 
our apothecary-general. The next day dined with Mr. 
James Lovell, lieutenant and adjutant of our regiment. 
Here I had the pleasure of being introduced to two cele- 
brated characters. Dr. John Jones, of Philadelphia, and 
the honorable Eobert Morris, the great American financier. 
Dr. Jones formerly resided in the city of New York, where 
he was "distinguished for his professional merit, urbanity 
of manners, and moral excellence." As a surgeon. Dr. 
Jones is considered at the head of the profession in the 
United States, and his reputation has been considerably 
extended by a valuable work, entitled, '■^ Plain Remarlcs 
on "Wounds and Fractures^'' which he published in the year 
1775 for the particular benefit of the surgeons of our 
army, and which has been received with universal appro- 
bation. Mr. Morris stands preeminent as a citizen, mer- 



322 MILITAEY JOURNAL, 1782. 

cliant and patriot, and the public are greatly indebted to 
him for his unrivaled efforts as superintendent of the 
finances of the United States, by which the public interest 
has been greatly promoted. I waited on Major-General 
Lincoln, secretary at war, to obtain an order on the bank 
for the money which was the object of my visit, but was 
disappointed, as the state of the bank would not admit of 
any discount. General Lincoln introduced me to Mr. 
Osgood, a member of Congress from Massachusetts. 

September lAth. — The whole army was paraded under 
arms this morning in order to honor his Excellency Count 
Eochambeau on his arrival from the southward. The 
troops were all formed in two lines, extending from the 
ferry, where the count crossed, to head-quarters. A troop 
of horse met and received him at King's ferry, and con- 
ducted him through the line to General Washington's 
quarters, where, sitting on his horse by the side of his 
excellency, the whole army marched before him, and paid 
the usual salute and honors. Our troops were now in 
complete uniform, and exhibited every mark of soldierly 
discipline. Count Eochambeau was most highly gratified 
to perceive the very great improvement which our army 
had made in appearance since he last reviewed them, and 
expressed his astonishment at their rapid progress in mil- 
itary skill and discipline. He said to General Washington, 
"You have formed an alliance with the King of Prussia. 
These troops are Prussians." Several of the principal 
officers of the French army, who have seen troops of dif- 
ferent European nations, have bestowed the highest enco- 
miums and applause on our army, and declared that they 
had seen none superior to the Americans. 

16th. — Dined with M!)jor-General Howe, with a number 
of officers of our line, and on the 17th dined with Baron 
Steuben in company with Generals Howe, Patterson, and 
a number of French officers. The baron is never more 
happy than when he is manifesting his generous friend- 
ship and benevolence. 

October. — Eight battalions have been selected from the 
army to perform some grand manoeuvres and a review. 
The evolutions and firings were performed this day with 
that regularity and precision which does them honor, and 
which received the full approbation of the numerous 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1782, 323 

spectators, and of the American and French officers who 
were present. 

30th. — At reveille on the 26th instant, the left wing of 
our army, under the command of General Heath, decamped 
from Verplank's point and marched to the highlands; 
took our lodging in the woods, without covering, and were 
exposed to heavy rain during a night and day. Thence 
we crossed the Hudson to West Point, and marched over 
the mountain called Butter hill; passed the night in the 
open field, and the next day reached the ground where 
we are to erect log huts for our winter-quarters, near 
New Windsor. 

November 10th. — I attended the funeral of my late 
worthy friend. Ensign Trant. This young gentleman at 
the age of eighteen came over from Ireland about two 
years since, and on his arrival in Boston was appointed 
an ensign in our regiment. Having a taste for military 
life, he had acquired considerable reputation as an officer, 
and was esteemed for his amiable temper and disposition, 
his liberal and generous sentiments, and his polite and 
gentlemanly manners. He suffered a lingering illness of 
eight months. Renouncing all hope of recovery, he con- 
quered the terrors of death, and acquired a remarkable 
degree of patience and resignation during the last weeks 
of his extreme suffering. His remains were decently in- 
terred in the garrison at West Point, and were followed 
to the grave by his Excellency General Washington and 
a very respectable procession. 

A melancholy event has. recently been announced from 
South Carolina — Colonel John Laurens, a man of estimable 
value, has been slain in a rencounter with the enemy near 
Charleston, He was the son of Henry Laurens, Esq., late 
president of Congress, and our ambassador to Holland. 
He had been employed on a special mission to France, to 
obtain a loan for the United States, in which he was suc- 
cessful. The enemy having detached a party into the 
country to procure provisions, Colonel Laurens, ever fore- 
most in danger, joined the party of continentals as a vol- 
unteer, to counteract their object, and while advancing on . 
the enemy with great intrepidity, he received a mortal 
wound. His death is universally lamented, more espe- 
cially at this late period, when the contest is supposed to 



324: MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782, 

be near a termination. No enlogy can exceed the merit 
of this noble and very useful officer. 

A very extraordinary and melancholy event has re- 
cently been announced from England. The ship called 
the Eoyal George, of one hundred and eight guns, com- 
manded by Admiral Kempenfelt, being careened on one 
side to receive some necessary repairs, was by a sudden 
gust of wind forced over, and her gun-ports being open, 
she instantly filled with water, and went to the bottom. 
The admiral himself was writing at his table in the cabin, 
and with about one thousand souls was lost; among them 
"U'ere about three hundred women and children. Admiral 
Kempenfelt was about seventy years of age, and wns con- 
sidered, in point of professional knowledge and judgment, 
one of the first naval officers in Europe. A victualler 
alongside was swallowed up in the whirlpool occasioned 
by the sinking of the ship. 

The campaign is now brought to a close, and no glori- 
ous deeds have been achieved ; not a gun has been fired 
between the two armies during the campaign, and the 
prospect of peace is so favorable and encouraging, that our 
Congress have passed a resolve to discharge a considerable 
part of tbe army on the 1st day of January next. The 
supernumerary officers are to retire on the establishment 
provided by Congress, and are to be entitled to all the 
emoluments with those who continue in service till peace 
shall be proclaimed. 

December loth. — Dined with my friends Drs. Townsend, 
Eustis and Adams, at the hosj)ital, in company with Gen- 
erals Gates and Howe, and their aids, Dr. Cochran, our 
surgeon -general, and several other officers. Our enter- 
tainment was ample and elegant. 

19/A. — I partook of another entertainment at Dr. Eustis' 
quarters. New Boston. Our guests were General Mc- 
Dougall and his aids, Colonels Jackson, Crane, &c. Gen- 
eral Alexander McDougall is the son of a Scotchman, 
whose employment was that of a milk-man in the city of 
New York, and the son was sometimes his assistant. The 
general at an early period was distinguished among those 
who had adopted the whig principles, and known to be a 
zealous advocate for freedom. Principle and a sense of 
duty led him to the field of contest, and in August, 1776, 



MILlTAIvY JOURNAL, 1782. §25 

he was by Congress appointed a brigadier-general, and by 
his intelligence and active spirit he has acquired a reput..- 
ble standing as a general officer. He displays much of 
the Scotch character, is afiable and facetious, often in- 
dulging in pleasantry, and adverting to his national pecu- 
liarities and family origin; at the close of which he adds, 
"Now, gentlemon, you have got the history of Sawney 
McDougall, the milk-mon's son." 

2bth. — The time is now approaching when, according to 
a resolve of Congress, a reduction of the army is to take 
place, and it is optional with me to continue till peace is 
actually proclaimed and our army entirely disbanded, or 
to retire from service on the new establishment, by which 
I shall be entitled to the same emoluments with those who 
remain. Having duly deliberated on the subject, I have 
come to the resolution of bidding a final adieu to the 
scenes of military life, and have resigned my commission 
in favor of Dr. Shute. It is with inexpressible reluctance 
that I contemplate a separation from numerous friends 
with whom I have so long associated in the most harmc 
nious and pleasing intercourse. Engaged in the same 
glorious and honorable cause, encountering together the 
same perils, suffering unparalleled hardships and priva- 
tions, and participating in the most interesting scenes and 
events, our mutual and cherished attachments are no less 
ardent than the ties of brotherly affection. Friendship 
formed under such circumstances, and cemented by purity 
of sentiment, must prove as lasting as our days on earth, 
and we shall ever cherish a sincere interest in the welfare 
of the companions of our military career. It will be to 
me a source of infinite satisfaction during the remainder 
of my days, that I have shared in the toils and perils of 
war during seven years and a half, in defence of my country 
and its freedom, and that the mighty struggle terminates 
in peace and the establishment of our national Independ- 
ence. This momentous event should be considered as a 
rich blessing which Providence bestows on us for the 
benefit of the present and many future generations. It is 
incumbent on me to express my unfeigned gratitude to 
the All-wise Author and Preserver of men, that he has 
been pleased to confer on me innumerable blessings, and 



32g MILITARY JOURNAL, 1788. 

preserved my life and health during a long period while 
exposed to the greatest hardships and imminent perils. 

January 1st, 1783. — This day I close my military career, 
and quit for ever the toils and vicissitudes incident to the 
storms of war. To my military companions I bid a final 
adieu, and hope to enjoy in future the blessings which 
attend a virtuous course of domestic life. I retire with 
honorable testimonials from very respectable authority of 
my punctuality and faithful performance of duty in the 
various situations which I have been called to occupy, 
and with a heart fraught with grateful recollections of the 
kindness and affectionate intercourse which I have expe- 
rienced from my superiors, and from my numerous com- 
panions and associates. While I congratulate my country 
on the momentous event by which we are about to be 
elevated to the rank of an Independent Nation, most cor- 
dially do I proffer my sympathy for the many lives of 
inestimable value which have been sacrificed during this 
ever-memorable contest. 

Note. — As the materials for the remainder of this work were col- 
lected and arranged after I returned from the army, I have thought it 
proper to change my running title from "Military Journal" to "Revo- 
tionary Annals." 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS. 



SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI. 

"While contemplating a final separation of the officers 
of the army, the tenderest feelings of the heart had their 
afflicting operations. It was at the suggestion of General 
Knox, and with the acquiescence of the commander-in- 
chief, that an expedient was devised by which a hope is 
entertained that their long-cherished friendship and social 
intercourse may be perpetuated, and that at future periods 
they may annually communicate, and revive a recollection 
of the bonds by which they were connected. It was on 
the 10th day of May, 1783, when the officers held their 
first meeting, at which the Baron Steuben, the senior offi- 
cer, presided, that Major-General Knox, Brigadier-Gen- 
eral Hand, Brigadier-General Huntington and Captain 
Shaw, were chosen to revise the proposals for the institu- 
tion, and prepare a copy to be laid before the next meeting, 
at Baron Steuben's quarters, on the 13th, when the plan 
for establishing a society was accepted, and is as follows: 

"It having pleased the Supreme Governor of the Universe, in the dis- 
position of human affairs, to cause the separation of the Colonies of 
North America from the dominion of Great Britain, and, after a bloody 
conflict of eight years, to establish them Free, Independent, and Sover- 
eign States, connected by alliances, founded on reciprocal advantages, 
with some of the greatest princes and powers of the earth: 

"To perpetuate, therefore, as well the remembrance of this vast event, 
as the mutual friendships which have been formed, under the pressure 
of common danger, and in many instances cemented by the blood of the 
parties, the officers of the American army do iiereby, in the most solemn 
manner, associate, constitute and combine themselves into one Society 
of Friends, to endure so long as they shall endure, or any of their eldest 
male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral branches, who may 
be judged worthy of becoming its supporters and members. 

"The officers of the American army having generally been taken from 
the citizens of America, possess higli veneration for the character of that 



328 KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1788. 

illustrious Roman, Lucius Qutntius Cincinnatus, and being resolved to 
follow his example, by returning to their citizenship, they think tiiey may 
with propriety denominate themselves the Society of ike Cincinnati. 

"The following principles shall be immutable, and form the basis of 
the Society of the Cincinnati: 

"An incessant attention to preserve inviolate those exalted rights and 
liberties of human nature, for which they have fought and bled, and 
without which the high rank of a rational being is a curse instead of a 
blessing. 

"An unalterable determination to promote and cherish, between the 
respective states, that union and national honor, so essentially necessary 
to their happiness, and the future dignity of the American empire. 

"To render permanent the cordial affection subsisting among the offi- 
cers, this spirit will dictate brotherly kindness in all things, and particu- 
larly extend to the most substantial acts of beneficence, accurding to the 
ability of the society, towards those officers and their families who un- 
fortunately may be under the necessity of receiving it. 

"The general society will, for the sake of frequent communications, 
be divided into state societies, and these again into such districts as shall 
be directed by the state society. 

"The societies of the districts to meet as often as shall be agreed on 
by the state society; those of the state on the 4th day of July, annually, 
or oftener if they shall find it expedient; and the general society on the 
first Mond:iy in May, annually, so long as they shall deem it necessary, 
and afterwards, at least once in every three years. 

"At each meeting, the principles of the institution will be fully con- 
sidered, and the best measures to promote them adopted. 

"The state societies to have a president, vice-president, secretary, 
treasurer, and assistant-treasurer, to be chosen annually by a majority 
of votes, at the state meeting. 

"In order to form funds which may be respectable, and assist the un- 
fortunate, each officer shall deliver to the treasurer of the state society 
one month's pay, which shall remain for ever, to the use of the state 
society; the interest only of which, if necessary, to be appropriated to 
the relief of the unfortunate. 

"The society shall have an order, by which its members shall be 
known and distinguished, which shall be a medal of gold, of a proper 
size to receive the emblems, and be suspended by a deep-blue ribband, 
two inches wide, edged with white, descriptive of the union of America 
and France." 

His Excellency General Washington officiated as presi- 
dent of the general society from its institution, in 1783, 
till his death, as did Major-General B. Lincoln of the 
society of Massachusetts. Since his demise, in 1810, Gov- 
ernor Brooks has been annually elected president. Some 
attempts were made at the first general meeting, in 1784, 
to alter the constitution of the society, in order that the 
hereditary succession of the members should be done 
away, without substituting any means of perpetuating the 



KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 329 

existence of the society. But a majority of the state so- 
cieties did not approve this change, and the institution 
remains as it was originally adopted in 1783. The society 
of Massachusetts was incorporated by the legislature in 
the year 1806, and their by-laws provide that persons who 
claim admission as members in right of succession to a 
deceased member shall be the oldest male heirs, or collat- 
eral branches not under twenty-one years of age. He must 
make his application to the standing committee in writing, 
and will be voted in by ballot. 

In December, 1782, the ofiicers of the army being ap- 
prehensive that they should be disbanded before their 
accounts should be liquidated and the engagements of 
government complied with, resolved to memorialize Con- 
gress on the subject, and Major-General McDougall, Col- 
onel Ogden and Colonel Brooks were deputed as a 
committee to wait on that honorable body, requesting their 
attention to the distresses under which the army labored, 
and to solicit payment of the money actually due to the 
army, and security for the commutation of half-pay, stipu- 
lated by the resolve of October, 1780, for a sum in gross, 
which they conceive would be less objectionable than the 
half-pay establishment. Subsequent to this proceeding, a 
report was circulated in camp that Congress did not mean 
to comply with their resolves respecting halfpay, &o. 
This operated very powerfully on the minds of the officers 
of the army, and occasioned them to forward an address 
to Congress, in behalf of themselves and their brethren, 
the soldiers. They asked for a supply of money, to be 
forwarded immediately to the army, for a settlement of 
the accounts of arrearages of pay, and security for what is 
due; for a commutation of half for full pay for a certain 
number of ^^ears, or for a sum in gross, as should be agreed 
on; for a settlement of accounts, for deficiencies of rations 
and compensations, and of the deficiencies of clothing and 
compensations. They conclude their address in these 
words: "The pressure of evils and injuries in the course 
of seven long years have made their condition, in many 
instances, wretched; they therefore entreat that Congress, 
to convince the army and the world that the Independence 
of America shall not be placed on the ruin of any partic- 



330 EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 

ular class of citizens, will point out a mode for immediate 
redress; and that the disabled officers and soldiers, with 
the widows and orphans of those who have lost or may 
lose their lives in the service of their country, may be in- 
cluded, and that some mode be pointed out for the event- 
ual payment of those soldiers who are the subjects of the 
resolution of Congress of the 15th of May, 1778." In 
consequence of this address, Congress passed the following 
resolves, namely: 

"That the superintendent of finance be directed, conformably to the 
measures ah*eady taken for that purpose, so soon as the state of tlie 
public finances will permit, to make sucli payment, and in such manjicr 
as he shall think proper, till the further order of Congress. 

"With respect to the second article of the address, the settlement of 
accounts of the arrearages of pay, that the several slates be called on to 
complete, without delay, the settlements with their resjiective lines of 
the army, up to the first day of August, 1780; and that tlie superintend- 
ent of finance take such measures as shall appear to him most proper 
for effecting the settlement frcjm this period. That the troops of tiie 
United States, in common with all creditors of the same, have an un- 
doubted right to expect security for what shall be found due, and Con- 
gress will make every effort in their power to obtain from the respective 
states substantial funds, adequate to the object of funding the whole 
debt of the United States, and will enter on an immediate and full con- 
sideration of the nature of such funds, and the most likely mode of ob- 
taining them." 

The remainder of the report of the committee, on the 
subject of the address, was referred to a committee of five. 

General McDougall and Colonel Ogden, in a letter to 
General Knox, made known to the army their success ; 
and Colonel Brooks returned to camp to inform them, 
verbally, of the prospect of commutation, or of obtaining 
an equivalent for half-pay, which they had proposed in 
their address. General McDougall continued at Congress 
on the army business, while the impression of the report 
which occasioned the address to Congress|W^)owever false, 
remained on the minds of some officers; notwithstanding 
Congress were doing all that the circumstances of the states 
would admit to relieve and satisfy the army. 

March 10th. — In the midst of this perturbed state of 
affairs in camp, and while the daj^ of final separation was 
supposed to be near at hand, the following anonymous 
letter, calculated to exasperate the passions of the moment, 
was privately circulated: 



KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 331 

"TO THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY. 

"Gentlemen: A fellow-soldier, whose interest and affections bind 
hitn strongly to you — whose past sufferings have been as great, and 
V'hose future fortune may be as desperate, as yours — would beg leave 
to address you. 

"Age has its claims, and rank is not without its pretensions to advise; 
but, though unsupported by both, he flatters himself th.it the plain Ian- •• 
guage of sincerity and experience will neither be unheard nor unregarded. 

"Like many of you he loved private life, and left it with regret. He 
left it, determined to retire from the field, with the necessity that called 
him to it, and not till then — not till the enemies of his country, the 
slaves of power, and the hirelings of injustice, were compelled to aban- 
don their schemes, and acknowledge America as terrible in arms as she 
had been humble in remonstrance. With this object in view, he has 
long shared in your toils and mingled in your dangers. — He has felt the 
cola hand of poverty without a murmur, and has seen the insolence of 
wealth without a sigh. — But, too much under the direotion of his wishes, 
and sometimes weak enough to mistake desire for opinion, he has till 
lately — very lately — believed in the justice of his country. He hoped 
that, as the clouds of adversity scattered, and as the sunshine of peace 
and better fortune broke in on us, the coldness and severity of govern- 
ment would relax, and that more than justice, that gratitude would blaze 
forth on those hands which had upheld her, in the darkest stages of her 
passage from impending servitude to acknowledged independence. But 
faith has its limits, as well as temper, and there are points beyond which 
neither can be stretched, without sinking into cowardice or plunging 
into credulity. — This, my friends, I conceive to be your situation : hur- 
ried to the very edge of both, another step would ruin you for ever. — 
To be tame and unprovoked when injuries press hard on you, is more 
than weakness; but too look up for kinder usage, without one manly 
effort of your own, would fix your character, and show the world how 
richly you deserve those chains you broke. To guard ag.iinst this evil, 
let us take a review of the ground on which we now stand, and thence 
carry our thoughts forward for a moment, into the unexplored field of 
experiment. 

"After a pursuit of seven long years, the object for which we set out 
is at length brought within our reach — yes, my friends, that suffering 
courage of yours was active once: it has conducted the United States 
of America through a doubtful and bloody war. It has placed her in 
the chair of independency, and peace returns again to bless — who? A 
country willing to redress your wrongs, cherish your worth, and reward 
your services? A country courting your return to private life, with tears 
of gratitude and smiles of admiration, longing to divide with you that 
independency which your gallantry has given, and those riches which 
your wounds have preserved? Is this the case? or is it rather a country 
that tramples on your rights, disdains your cries, and insults your dis- 
tresses? Have you not more than once suggested your wishes, and 
made known your wants to Congress? — wants and wishes which grati- 
tude and policy should have anticip.ited rather than evaded; and have 
you not lately, in the meek language of entreating memorials, begged 
from their justice what you could no longer expect from their favor? 



832 



EEVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 1783. 



How have voii been answered? Let the letter which you are called to 
consider to-morrow reply. 

"If this, tlien, be your treatment, while the swords you wear are ne- 
cessary for the defence of America, what have you to expect from peace, 
when your voice shall sink, and your strength dissipate by division? — 
when those very swords, the instruments and companions of your glory, 
shall be taken from your sides, and no remaining mark of military dis- 
tinction be left but your wants, infirmities, and scars? Can you, then, 
consent to be the only suiferers by this revolution, and, retiring from the 
field, grow old in poverty, wretchedness, and contempt? Can you con- 
sent to wade through the vile mire of dependency, and owe the misera- 
ble remnant of that life to charity which has hitherto been spent in 
honor? If you can, go — and carry with you the jest of tories and the 
scorn of whigs; the ridicule, and, what is worse, the pity of the world. 
Go — starve, and be forgotten! But if your spirit should revolt at this; 
if you have sense enough to discover, and spirit enough to oppose 
tyranny under whatever garb it may assume; whether it be the plain 
coat of republicanism, or the splendid robe of royalty; if you have not 
yet learned to discriminate between a people and a cause, between men 
and principles — awake; attend to your situation, and redress yourselves. 
If tile present moment be lost, every future eflTort is in vain; and your 
threats then, will be as empty as your entreaties now. 

"I would advise you, therefore, to come to some final opinion on what 
you can bear, and what you will suffer. If your determination be in any 
proportion to your wrongs, carry your appeal from the justice, to the 
fears of government. Change the milk-and-water style of your last 
memorial; assume a bolder tone — decent, but lively, spirited and deter- 
mined, and suspect the man who would advise to more moderation and 
longer forbearance. Let two or three men who can feel as well as write, 
be appointed to draw up your last remonstrance; for I would no longer 
give it the suing, soft, unsuccessful epithet of memorial. Let it be rep- 
resented in language that will neither dishonor you by its rudeness, nor 
betray you by its fears, what has been promised by Congress, and what 
has been performed — how long and how patiently you have suffered — 
how little you have asked, and how much of that little has been denied. 
Tell them that, though you were the first, and would wish to be the last 
to encounter danger, though despair itself can never drive you into dis- 
honor, it may drive you from the field; that the wound often irritated, 
and never healed, may at length become incurable; and that the slight- 
est mark of indignity from Congress now must oper.ate like the grave, 
and part you for ever; that in any political event, the army has its alter- 
native, if peace, that nothing shall separate you from your arms but 
death; if war, that, courting the auspices and inviting the directions of 
your illustrious leader, you will retire to some unsettled country, smile 
in your turn, and 'mock when their fear cometh.' But let it represent, 
also, that should they comply with the request of your late memorial, 
it would make you more happy, and them more respectable; that while 
war should continue, you w;ould follow their standard into the field, and 
when it came to an end, you would withdraw into the shade of private 
life, and give the world another subject of wonder and applause; an 
army victorious over its enemies — victorious over itself." 



EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 333 

Alarmed and distressed with this vile attempt to stimu- 
iaie the army to rash and dangerous proceedings, the 
commander-in-chief noticed in general orders the anony- 
mous address with his pointed disapprobation, and, with 
the view of counteracting its effects, requested that the 
general and field officers, and one from each company, atul 
a proper representation from the staff of the army, would 
assemble on the 15th instant, to hear the report of the 
committee deputed by the army to Congress. The next 
day a second anonymous paper from the same pen appeared 
as follows: 

"Till now, the commander-in-chief has regarded the steps yon have 
taken for redress with good wishes alone; his ostensible silence has 
authorized your meetings, and his private opinion sanctified your claims. 
Had he disliked the object in view, would not the same sense of duty 
which forbade you from meeting on the third day of tlie week, liave 
forbidden you from meeting on the seventh? Is not the same subject 
held up for your discussion? and has it not passed the seal of office, and 
taken all the solemnity of an order? This will give system to your 
proceedings, and stability to your resolves. It will ripen speculation into 
fact, and while it adds to the unanimity, it cannot possibly lessen the 
independency of your sentiments. It may be necessary to add, on tliis 
subject, that, from the injunction with which the general orders close, 
every man is at liberty to conclude that the report to be made to head- 
quarters is intended for Congress. Hence will arise another motive for 
that energy which has been recommended; for, can you give the lie to tiie 
pathetic descriptions and the more alarming predictions of our friends?'* 

* With respect to the author of the Newburgh anonymous letters, 
suspicion has ever rested on John Armstrong, who at the time of their 
appearance was a major in the army, and for some time aid-de-camp to 
Major-General Gates. Though many circumstances conspired to i\x this 
suspicion on Major Armstrong and a few confederates, the real fact has 
never been established till recently. In the last number of the United 
Stales Magazine, published in New York, General Armstrong has an- 
nounced himself to be the author of these notorious letters. In justi- 
fication of his motives, he maintains "that they were written by himself 
at the solicitation of his friends, as the chosen organ to express the sen- 
timents of the officers of the army, and were only an honest and mnriU/, 
though perhaps an indiscreet endeavor to support jniblic credit and do 
justice to a long-suffering, patient, and gallant soldiery." In the snme 
publication, General Armstrong has thought proper to risk his reputation 
on the bold and unqualified assertion, that the slander propagated and 
believed for half a century, that two distinguished officers of the revo- 
lution had conspired to put down the commander-in-chief, is an impudent 
and vile falsehood from beginning to end. The young reader, who may 
not be apprised of the circumstances on which the evidence of this con- 
spiracy rests, is referred to the biography of Generals Lee, Gates and 
Conway, in the Appendix. 



334 EEVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 1783. 

On the 15th instant, the convention of officers assembled, 
and General Gates presided. The commander-in-chief 
delivered to them the following very interesting and feel- 
ing address: 

"Gentlemen : By an anonymous summons, an attempt has been made 
to convene you together. How inconsistent with the rules of propriety, 
how unmilitary, and how subversive of all order aud discipline, let tne 
good sense of the army decide. 

"In the moment of this summons, another anonymous production 
was sent into circulation, addressed more to the feelings and p:issioris 
than to the judgment of the army. The author of the piece is entitled 
to much credit for the goodness of his pen; and I could wish he had as 
much credit for the rectitude of his heart; for, as men see through dif- 
ferent optics, and are induced by the reflecting faculties of the mind to 
use different means to attain the same end, the author of tlie address 
should have had more charity than to 'mark for suspicion the man who 
should recommend moderation and longer forbearance;' or, in other 
words, w'ho should not think as he thinks, and act as he advises. But 
he had another plan in view, in which candor and liberality of sentiment, 
regard to justice and love of country, have no part; and he was right to 
insinuate the darkest suspicion to effect the blackest design. That the 
address was drawn with great art, and is designed to answer the most 
insidious purposes; that it is calculated to impress the mind with an idea 
of premeditated injustice in the sovereign power of tlie United States, 
and rouse all those resentments which must unavoidably flow from such 
a belief; that the secret mover of this scheme, whoever he may be, in- 
tended to take advantage of the passions, while they were warmed by 
the recollection of past distresses, without giving time for cool, deliber- 
ative thinking, and that composure of mind which is so necessary to give 
dignity and stability to measures, is rendered too obvious, by the mode 
of conducting the business, to need other proof than a reference to the 
proceedings. 

"Thus much, gentlemen, I have thought it incumbent on me to observe 
to you, to show on what principles I opposed the irregular and hasty 
meeting which was proposed to have been held on Tuesday last, and 
not because I wanted a disposition to give you every opportunity, con- 
sistently with your own honor and the dignity of the army, to make 
known your grievances. If my conduct heretofore has not evinced to 
you that I have been a faithful friend to the army, my declaration of it 
at this time would be equally unavailing and improper. But as I was 
among the first who embarked in the cause of our common country; as 
I have never left your side one moment, but when called from you on 
public duty; as I have been the constant companion and witness of your 
distresses, and not among the last to feel and acknowledge your merits; 
as I have ever considered my own military reputation as inseparably 
connected with that of the army; as my heart has ever expanded with 
joy when I have heard its praises, and my indignation has arisen when 
the mouth of detraction has been opened against it; it can scarcely be 
supposed at this last stage of the war that 1 am indifferent to its inter- 



KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 335 

csts. But how are they to be promoted? The way is plain, says the 
anonymous addresser: 'If war continues, remove into the unsettled 
country; there establish yourselves, and leave an ungrateful country to 
defend itself!' But who are they to defend ] — our wives, our children, 
our farms and other property which we leave behind us? or in this state 
of hostile separation, are we to take the two first — the latter cannot be 
removed — to perish in a wilderness, with hunger, cold and nakedness? 

"'If peace takes place, never shenth your swords,' says he. 'till you 
have obtained full and ample justice.' This dreadful alternative of 
either deserting our country in the extremest hour of her distress, or 
turning our arms against it, which is the apparent object, unless Congress 
can be compelled Liito instant compliance, has something so shocking in 
it, that humanity revolts at the idea. My God! what can this writer 
have in view, by recommending such measures? Can he be a friend to 
the army? Can he be a friend to this country? Rather, is he not an 
insidious foe — some emissary, perhaps, from New York — plotting the 
ruin of both, by sowing the seeds of discord and separation between the 
civil and military powers of the continent? And what a compliment 
does he pay our understandings,* when he recommends measures, in 
either alternative, impracticable in their nature? But here, gentlemen, I 
will drop the curtain, because it would be as imprudent in me to assign 
my reasons for this opinion, as it would be insulting to your conception 
to suppose you stood in need of them. A moment's reflection will con- 
vince every dispassionate mind of the physical impossibility of carrying 
either proposal into execution. There might, gentlemen, be an impro- 
priety in my taking notice, in this address to you, of an anonymous pro- 
duction; but the manner in which this performance has been introduced 
to the army ; the effect it was intended to have, together with some 
other circumstances, will amply justify my observations on the tendency 
of this writing. , 

" With respect to the advice given by the author, to suspect the man 
who shall recommend moderate measures and longer forbearance, I 
spurn it, as every man who regards that liberty and reveres that justice 
for which we contend, undoubtedly must; for if men are to be precluded 
from offering their sentiments on a matter which may involve the most 
serious and alarming consequences that can invite the consideration of 
mankind, reason is of no use to us. The freedom of speech may be 
taken away, and, dumb and silent, we may be led, like sheep to the 
slaughter. I cannot in justice to my own belief, and what I have great 
reason to conceive is the intention of Congress, conclude this address 
without giving it as my decided opinion, that that honorable body enter- 
tain exalted sentiments of the services of the army, and, from a full con- 
viction of its merits and sufferings, will do it complete justice. That 
their endeavors to discover and establish funds for this purpose have 
been unwearied, and will not cease till they have succeeded, I have 
not a doubt. 

" But, like all other large bodies, where there is a variety of different 
interests to reconcile, their determinations are slow. Why then should 
we distrust them? and in consequence of this distrust, adopt measures 
which may cast a shade over that glory which has been so justly ac- 
quired, and tarnish the reputation of an army which is celebrated through 
Aa 



ggg EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1788. 

all Errope for its fortitude and patriotism? And for what is thisdone^ 
— to bring the object we seek nearer? No ; most certainly, in my opin 
ion, it will east it at a greater distance. For myself, (and I take no 
merit in giving the assurance, being induced to it from principles ot 
gratitude, veracity, and justice, and a grateful sense of the confidence 
you have ever placed in me,) a recollection of the cheerful assistance 
and prompt obedience I have experienced from you, under every vicissi- 
tude of fortune, and the sincere affection I feel for an army I have so 
long had the honor to command, will oblige me to declare, in this pub- 
lic and solemn manner, that in the attainment of comjjlcte justice for all 
your toils and dangers, and in the gratification of every wish, so far as 
may be done consistently with the great duty I owe my country, and 
those powers we are bound to respect, you may freely command my 
services to the utmost extent of my abilities. 

"While I give you these assurances, and pledge myself, in the most 
unequivocal manner, to exert whatever abilities I am possessed of in 
your favor, let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to take any 
measures which, viewed in the calm light of reason, will lessen the dig- 
nity and sully the glory you have hitherto maintained. Let me request 
you to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and place a full confi- 
dence in the purity (if the intentions of Congress; that, previous to your 
dissolution as an army, they will cause all your accoujits to be fairly 
liquidated, as directed in the resolutions which were publislicd to you 
two days ago; and that they will adopt the most effectual measurciiin 
their power to render ample justice to you for your faithful and merito- 
rious services. And let me conjure you in the name of our common 
country, as you value your own sacred honor; as you respect the rights 
of humanity ; and as you regard the military and national character of 
America; to express your utmost horror and detestation of the mim who 
wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our 
country; and who wickedly attempts to open the flood-gates of civil 
discord, and deluge our rising empire in blood. 

"By thus determining, and thus acting, you will pursue the plain and 
direct road to the attainment of your wishes; you will defeat the insid- 
ious designs of our enemies, who are compelled to resort from open 
force to secret artifice. You will give one more distinguished pioof of 
unexampled patriotism and patient virtue, rising superior to the pressure 
of the most complicated sufferings; and you will, by the dignity of your 
conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, when speaking of the glo- 
rious example you have exhibited to mankind, 'Had this day been 
wanting, the world had never seen the last stage of perfection to w^iich 
human nature is capable of attaining." " 

Having finished his incomparable and very efficacious 
address, his excellency withdrew, and the convention 
unanimously resolved to present him their thanks, and 
that he be assured "that the officers reciprocate his affec- 
tionate expressions with the greatest sincerity of which 
the human hSart is capable." After which, General Knox, 
Colonel Brooks, and Captain Howard were appointed a 



REVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 1783. 337 

committee to prepare resolutions expressive of the business 
of the convention, and to report in half an hour. They 
reported, and the convention — 

^ Resolved, unanimously, That, at the commencement of the present 
war, the officers of the American army engaged in the service of their 
country from the purest love and attachment to the rights and liberties 
of human nature; which motives still exist in the highest degree; and 
that no circumstances of distress or danger shall induce a conduct that 
may tend to sully the reputation and glory which they have acquired, at 
the price of their blood and eight years' faithful services. 

'^Resolved, unanimously. That the army continue to have an unshaken 
confidence in the justice of Congress and their country, and are fully 
convinced that the representatives of America will not disband or dis- 
perse the army till their accounts are liquidated, the balances accurately 
ascertained, and adequate funds established for payment; and in this ar- 
rangement the officers expect that the half-pay, or a commutation for it, 
should be efficaciously comprehended. 

" Resolved, unanimously, That his excellency the commander-in-chief 
be requested to write to his excellency the president of Congress, earn- 
estly entreating the most speedy decision of that honorable body on the 
subject of our late address, which was forwarded by a committee of the 
army, some of whom are waiting on Congress for the result. In tiie 
alternative of peace or war, this event would be highly satisfactory, and 
would produce immediate tranquillity in the minds of the army, and 
prevent any further machinations of designing men, to sow discord be- 
tween the civil and military powers of the United States. 

"On motion. Resolved, unanimously. That the officers of the American 
army view with abhorrence, and reject with disdain, the infamous propo- 
sitions contained in a late anonymous address to the officers of the army, 
and resent with indignation the secret attempts of some unknown per- 
sons to collect the officers together, in a manner totally subversive of 
all discipline and good order. 

^'■Resolved, unanimously. That the thanks of the officers of the army 
be given to the committee who presented to Congress the late address 
of the army, for the wisdom and prudence with which they have con- 
ducted that business; and that a copy of the proceedings of this day be 
transmitted by the president to Major-General McDougall ; and that he 
be requested to continue his solicitations at Congress, till the objects of 
his mission are accomplished." 

The result of the foregoing proceedings was, "by the 
commander-in-chief, transmitted to Congress, accompa- 
nied by an impressive letter, of which the following is an 
extract : 

"That in the critical and perilous moment when the last-mentioned 
communication was made, there was the utmost danger th:it a dissolu- 
tion of the army would have taken place, unless measures similar to 
those recommended had been adopted, will not admit of a doubt. That 
the adoption of the resolution granting half-pay for life has been attended 



338 EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 

with all the happy consequences I had foretold, so far as respected the 
good of the service, let the astonishing contrast between the state of the 
army at this instant and at the former period determine. 

"And that the establishment of funds, and security of the payment of 
all the just demands of the army will be the most certain means of pre 
serving the national faith and future tranquillity of this extensive conti 
nent, is my decided opinion. By the preceding remarks, it will readily 
be imagined that, instead of retracting and reprehending, from further 
experience and reflection, the mode of compensation so strenuously 
urged in the inclosures, I am more and more confirmed in the sentiment, 
and if in the wrong, suflier me to please myself with the grateful delu- 
sion. For if, besides the simple payment of their wages, a further com- 
pensation is not due to the sufferings and sacrifices of the officers, then 
have I been mistaken indeed. If the whole army have not merited 
whatever a grateful people can bestow, then have I been beguiled by 
prejudice, and built opinion on the basis of error. If this country should 
not in the event perform every thing which has been requested in the 
late memorials to Congress, then will my belief become vain, and the 
hope that has been excited void of foundation. And if. as has been sug- 
gested for the purpose of inflaming their passions, the oflScers of the 
army are to be the only sufferers by this revolution; if, retiring from the 
field, they are to grow old in poverty, wretchedness, and contempt; if 
they are to wade through the vile mire of dependency, and owe the mis- 
erable remnant of that life to charity which has hitherto been spent in 
honor, then shall I have learned what ingratitude is — then shall I have 
realized a tale which will embitter every moment of my future life. But 
I am under no such apprehensions; a country rescued by their arms 
from impending ruin, will never leave unpaid the debt of gratitude. 

"G. WASHINGTON." 

March 22c?. — Congress at length came to the following 
resolutions: 

"Whereas the officers of the several lines, under the immediate com- 
mand of his E.xcellency General Washington, did by their late memorial 
transmitted, represent to Congress that the half-pay granted by sundry 
resolutions was regarded in an unfavorable light by the citizens of some 
of the states, who would prefer a compensation for a limited term of 
years, or by a sum in gross, to an establishment for life; and did, on 
this account, solicit a commutation of their half-pay for an equivalent, in 
one of the modes above mentioned, in order to remove all subjects of 
dissatisfaction from the minds of their fellow-citizens: And whereas 
Congress are desirous, as well of gratifying the reasonable expectations 
of the officers of the army, as of removing all objections which may 
exist in any part of the United States to the principles of the half-pay 
establishment, for which the faith of the United States has been pledged; 
persuaded that these objections can only arise from the nature of the 
compensation, not from any indisposition to compensate those whose 
services, sacrifices, and sufferings, have so justly a title to the approba- 
tion and rewards of their country: Therefore — 

"Resolved, That such officers as are now in service, and shall continue 



EEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 339 

therein to the end of the war, shall be entitled to receive the amount of 
five years' full pay in money, or securities on interest at six per cent. 
per annum, as Congress shall find most convenient, instead of the half- 
pay promised for life, by the resolution of the 21st day of October, 1780, 
the said securities to be such as shall be given to the creditors of the 
United States. Provided, that it be at the option of the lines of the 
respective states to accept or refuse the same. And provided, also, that 
their election shall be signified to Congress, through the commander-in- 
chief, from the lines under his immediate command within two months; 
and through the commanding officer of the Southern army, from those 
under his command, within six months, from the date of tliis resolution. 

"That the same computation shall extend to the corps not belonging 
to the lines of particular states, and who are entitled to half-pay for life 
as aforesaid; the acceptance or refusal to be determined by corps, and 
to be signified in the same manner, and within the same time as above 
mentioned. 

"That all officers belonging to the hospital department, who are en- 
titled to half-pay by the resolution of the nth day of January, 1781, 
may collectively agree to accept or refuse the aforesaid commutation, 
signifying the same through the commander-in-chief, within six months 
from this time. 

"Tliat such officers as have retired at ditferent periods, entitled to 
half-pay for life, may, collectively in each state in which they are inhab- 
itants, accept or refuse the same; their acceptation or refusal to be sig- 
nified by agents, authorized for this purpose, within six months from 
this period. That with respect to such retiring officers, the commuta- 
tion, if accepted, shall be in lieu of whatever may be now due to them, 
since the time of their retiring from service, as well as of what might 
hereafter become due, and that as soon as their acceptance shall be sig- 
nified, the superintendent of finance be, and he is hereby, directed to 
take measures for the settlement of their accounts accordingly, and to 
issue to them certificates bearing interest at six percent. 

"That all officers entitled to half-pay for life, not included in the pre- 
ceding resolution, may also collectively agree to accept or refuse the 
aforesaid commutation, signifying the same within six months from 
this time." 

April 18th. — The commander-in-chief thus addressed 
the army on the cessation of hostilities: 

"The commander-in-chief orders the cessation of hostilities, between 
the United States of America and the King of Great Britain, to be pub- 
licly proclaimed to-morrow at twelve o'clock, at the New Building; and 
that the proclamation which will be communicated herewith, be read to- 
morrow evening, at the head of every regiment and corps of the army; 
after which, the chaplains, with the several brigades, will render thanks 
to Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his overruling the 
wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease 
among the nations." 

Though the proclamation before alluded to extends only 
to the prohibitioD of hostilities, and not to the annuncia- 



340 KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 

tion of a general peace, yet it must afford the most rational 
and sincere satisfaction to every benevolent mind, as it 
puts a period to a long and doubtful contest — stops the 
effusion of human blood — opens the prospect to a more 
splendid scene — and, like another morning-star, promises 
the approach of a brighter day than has hitherto illumin- 
ated this western hemisphere! On such a happy day — 
a day which is the harbinger of peace — a day which com- 
pletes the eighth year of the war, it would be ingratitude 
not to rejoice; it would be insensibility not to participate 
in the general felicity. 

"The commander-in-chief, far from endeavoring to stifle the feelings 
of joy in his own bosom, offers his most cordial congratulations on the 
occasion, to all the officers of every denomination, to all the troops of 
the United States in general, and in particular to those gallant and per- 
severing men who had resolved to defend the rights of their invaded 
country so long as the war should continue ; for these are the men who 
ought to be considered as the pride and boast of the American army, 
and who, crowned with well-earned laurels, may soon withdraw from 
the field of glory to the more tranquil walks of civil life. 

"While the general recollects the almost infinite variety of scenes 
through which we have passed with a mixture of pleasure, astonishment, 
and gratitude — while he contemplates the prospects befure us with rap- 
ture — he cannot help wishing that all the brave men, of whatever con- 
dition they may be, who have shared in the toils and dangers of etl'ecting 
this glorious revolution, of rescuing millions from the hand of oppression, 
and of laying the foundation of a great empire, might be impressed with 
a proper idea of the dignified part they have been called to ait, under 
the smiles of Providence, on the stage of human affairs; for happy, thrice 
happy, shall they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed any 
thing, who have performed the meanest office in erecting this stupendous 
fabric of Freedom and Empire, on tiie broad basis of independency; who 
have assisted in protecting the rights of human nature, and establishing 
an asylum for the poor and oppressi'd of all nations and religions. 

"The glorious task for which we first flew to arms being thus accom- 
plished — the liberties of our country being fully acknowledged and 
firmly secured by the smiles of Heaven on the purity of our cause, and 
the honest exertions of a feeble people, determined to be free, against 
a powerful nation disposed to oppress them — and the character of those 
who have persevered through every extremity of hardsiiip, snflering, 
and danger, being immortalized by the illustrious appellation of the 
Patriot Army — nothing now remains but for the actors of this mighty 
scene to preserve a perfect, unvarying consistency of character through 
the very last act; to close the drama with applause; and to retire from 
the military theatre with the same approbation of angels and men, which 
have crowned all their former virtuuus actions, 

"For this purpose, no disorder or licentiousness must be tolerated; 
every considerate and well-disposed soldier must remember it will be 



EEVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 1783. £41 

absolutely necessary to wait with patience till peace shall be declared, 
or Congress shall be enabled to take proper measnres for the security 
of tile public stores, &c. So soon as these arrangements shall be made, 
the general is confident there will be no delay in discharging, with every 
mark of distinction and honor, all the men enlisted for the war, who 
will then have faithfully performed their engagements with the public. 
The general has already interested himself in their behalf; and he thinks 
he need not repeat the assurances of his disposition to be useful to them 
on the present, and every other proper occasion. In the mean time, he 
is determined that no military neglects or excesses shall go unpunished 
while he retains the command of the army. 

"The adjutant-general will have such working parties detailed to as- 
sist in making the preparation for a general rejoicing as the chief en- 
gineer, with the army, shall call for; and the quarter-master-general will 
also furnish such materials as he may want. The quarter-master-general 
will, without delay, procure such a number of discharges to be printed 
as will be sufficient for all the men enlisted for the war;- he will please 
to apply to head-quarters for the furm. 

" An extra ration of liquor to be issued to every vian lo-morrnn\ to 
drink perpelual peace, independence and happiness to the United States of y 
America^ • 

The ofl&cers of the army, by their committee, prepared 
the following address to the commander-in-chief: 

"Sir: It is difficult for us to express the regret we feel at being 
obliged again to solicit your excellency's attention and patronage. Next 
to the anguish which the prospect of our own wretchedness excites in 
our breasts, is the pain which arises from the knowledge of your anxiety 
on account of those men who have been the sharers of your fortunes, 
and have had the honor of being your companions through the various 
vicissitudes of the war. Nothing, therefore, but necessity could induce 
us to a representation which we know must give you concern. 

"Your excellency has so intimate a knowledge of the condition of the 
army, as to render a particular delineation unnecessary. As you have 
been a witness of our sufferings during a war uncommon in its nature, 
and unparalleled in many circumstances attending it; so you are now, sir, 
no less a witness of the unequal burden which has fallen on us, from 
the want of that provision to which, from our assiduous and unremitting 
services, we conceive we are entitled. Having recently expressed our 
sense of what was due to our distress; having repeated to your excel- 
lency the confidence we had that our accounts would be liquidated, the 
balances ascertained, and adequate funds provided for payment, previous 
to our being dispersed or disbanded; having seen with pleasure the 
approbation which Congress gave our reliance, it is with a mixture of 
astonishment and chagrin that we view the late resolve of Congress, by 
which the soldiers for the war, and a proportionate number of officers, 
are to be furloughed without any one of those important objects being 
accomplished; and, to complete the scene of woe, are to be compelled 
to leave the army without the means of defraying the debts we have 
necessarily incurred in the course of service, or even of gratifying those 
menials in the pittance which is their due ; much less to carry with us 



342 EEVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 17S3. 

that support and comfort to our families, of which, from our long mili- 
tary services, they have been deprived. No less exposed to the insults 
of the meanest followers of the army, than to the arrests of the sheritl — 
deprived of the ability to assist our families, and without an evidence 
that any thing is due to us for our services, and consequently without 
the least prospect of obtaining credit for even a temporary subsistence, 
till we can get into business — to what quarter can we look? We take 
the liberty to say this, sir, only to your excellency: and, from the sin- 
cerity of our hearts, we do it no less from a persuasion of the etticacy 
of your furtiier efforts in our favor, tiian from the kind assurances you 
have been pleased to give us of your support. 

"To your excellency, then, we make one appeal, and in the most 
solemn manner, from that abhorrence of oppression and injustice which 
first unsheathed our swords; from the remembrance of the common 
dangers through which we have passed; and from the recollectiim of 
those astonisiiing events which have been effected by our united efforts 
— permit us to solicit your further aid, and to entreat that the order of 
the 2d instant, founded on the act of Congress of the 26th of May last, 
may be suspended or varied in its operation, so far as that no officer or 
soldier be obliged to receive a, furlough till that honorable body can be 
apprised of the wretched situation into which the army must be plunged 
by a conformity to it; that your excellency will endeavor to prevail on 
Congress — nay, that on the principles of common justice, you will insist 
that neither officer nor soldier be comjielled to leave the field till a liqui- 
dation of accounts can be effected, till the balances are ascertained, cer- 
tificates for the sums due given, including the commutation of half-pay 
to the officers and gratuity of eighty dollars to the soldiers; and till a 
supply of money can be furnished, sufficient to carry us from the field 
of glory, with honor to ourselves and credit to our country. We still 
wish to believe that that country, to which we have been so long devoted, 
will never look with indifference on the distresses of tiiose of her sons 
who have so essentially contributed to the establishment of freedom, 
the security of property, and the rearing of an empire. 

"In the name and behalf of the generals and officers commanding 
regiments and corps, in the cantonment on Hudson's river, 
"I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, 

"Your Excellency's most obedient servant, 
"" July 5th, 1783." "W. HEATH, Major-General, President. 

To the foregoing address General Washington was 
pleased to make an affectionate reply, in which, among 
other things, he observes, that as furloughs in all services 
are considered as a matter of indulgence and not of com- 
pulsion — as Congress, he is persuaded, entertain the best 
disposition towards the army — and as he apprehends in a 
short time the two principal articles of complaint will be 
removed — he will not hesitate to comply with the wishes 
of the army with respect to furloughs, &c. He cannot 
but hope, he observes, that the notes will soon arrive, and 



EEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 343 

that the settlement of accounts may be completed in a very 
few days. In the mean time, he shall have the honor of 
laying the sentiments of the generals and officers before 
Congress; they are expressed in so decent, candid and 
affecting a manner, that he is certain every mark of atten- 
tion will be paid to them. In his letter to the president 
of Congress, inclosing the address of the officers, and his 
answer, his excellency observes: 

" These inclosures will explain the distresses which resulted from the 
measures now carrying into execution, in consequence of the resolution 
of the 26th of May; but the sensibility, occasioned by a parting scene, 
under such peculiar circumstances, will not admit of description! While 
I consider it a tribute of justice on this occasion to mention the temper- 
ate and orderly behavior of the whole army, and particularly the accom- 
modating spirit of the officers, in arranging themselves to the command 
of the battalions, which will be composed of the three years' men; per- 
mit me to recall to mind all their former sufferings and merits, and to 
recommend their reasonable request to the early and favorable notice 
of Congress." 

19th. — On the completion of eight years from the memor- 
able battle of Lexington, the proclamation of the Congress 
for a cessation of hostilities was published at the door of 
the public building, followed by three huzzas; after which, 
a prayer was offered to the Almighty Ruler of the world, 
by the Rev. Mr. Ganno, and an anthem was performed 
by voices and instruments. 

On the 29th of June, about eighty new-levy soldiers of 
the Pennsylvania line, who had been stationed at Lancas- 
ter, in defiance of their officers, marched to Philadelphia 
to seek a redress of their supposed grievances from the 
executive council of the state. They proceeded to the 
barracks in the city, where were quartered some other 
soldiers, who joined them, amounting to about three hun- 
dred in the whole. The day following, these insurgent 
troops, with fixed bayonets and drums beating, marched 
to the State-house, the seat of Congress and of the supreme 
executive council of Pennsylvania. They placed sentinels 
at every door, sent in a written message to the president 
and council, and threatened to let loose an enraged 
soldiery on them, if they were not gratified as to their 
demands within twenty minutes. Though no other in- 
sult was offered to Congress, this duresse continued about 
three hours. 



344 KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 

Congress resolved that the authority of the United 
States had been grossly insulted by the armed soldiers; 
that their committee confer with the executive council; 
and that in case it should appear to the committee that 
there is no satisfactory ground for expecting adequate 
exertions by the state of Pennsylvania for supporting the 
dignity of the federal government, the president, on the 
advice of the committee, should summon the members of 
Congress to meet on Thursday, the 26th, at Trenton or 
Princeton, and that the secretary at war should communi- 
cate to the commander-in-chief the state and disposition of 
the mutineers, that he might take immediate measures for 
suppressing them. Congress now found it expedient to 
separate, and reassemble at Princeton. The commander- 
in-chief, on receiving information of this shameful outrage, 
instantly detached lifteen hundred men, under command 
of Major-General Howe, to quell the mutiny and punish 
the most guilty. Before his arrival, however, they had 
dispersed without bloodshed, A number were brought 
to trial, and two sentenced to suffer death, and four others 
to receive corporeal punishment. The com'hiander-in- 
chief, on this occasion, addressed the president of Con- 
gress in the feeling language which follows:^ 

"While I suffer the most poignant distress in observing that a handful 
of men, contemptible in numbers, and equally so in point of service, if 
the veteran troops from the southward iiave not been seduced by their 
example, and who are not worthy to be called soldiers, should disgrace 
themselves and their country, as the Pennsylvania mutineers have done, 
by insulting the sovereign authority of the United States, and that of 
their own; I feel an inexpressible satisfaction, that even this behavior 
cannot stain the name of the American soldiery. It cannot be imputable 
to, or reflect dishonor on the army at laige; but, on the contrary, it will, 
by the striking contrast it exhibits, hold up to public view the other 
troops in the most advantageous point of light. On taking all the cir- 
cumstances into consideration, I cannot sufficiently express my surprise 
and indignation at the arrogance, the folly, and the wickedness of the 
mutineers; nor can I sufficiently admire the fidelity, the bravery and 
patriotism, which must for ever signalize the unsullied character of the 
other corps of our army. For when we consider that these Pennsylva- 
nia levies, who have now mutinied, are recruits, and soldiers of a day, 
who have not borne the heat and burden of the war, and who can have 
in reality very few hardships to complain of; and when we at the same 
time recollect that those soldiers who have lately been furloughed from 
this army are the veterans who have patiently endured hunger, naked- 
ness, and cold; who have suffered and bled without a murmur, and who, 



EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 345 

with perfect good order, have retired to their homes, without a settle- 
ment of their accounts, or a farthing of money in their pockets; we shall 
be as much astonished at the virtues of the latter, as we are struck with 
horror and detestation at the proceedings of the former; and every can- 
did mind, without indulging ill-grounded prejudices, will undoubtedly 
make the proper discrimination." 

On the 2d of November, 1783, General Washington 
issued his farewell orders to the armies of the United 
States. Having taken notice of the proclamation of Con- 
gress of October 18th, he said : 

"It only remains for the commander-in-chief to address himself once 
more, and that for the last time, to the armies of the United States, 
however widely dispersed the individuals who composed them may be, 
and to bid them an affectionate, a long fiircwell. But before the com- 
mander-in-chief takes his final leave of those he holds most denr, he 
wishes to indulge himself a few moments in calling to mind a slight 
review of the past. He will then take the liberty of exploring with his 
military friends their future prospects — of advising the general line of 
conduct which, in his opinion, ought to be pursued, and he will conclude 
the address by expressing the obligations he feels himself under for the 
spirited and able assistance he has experienced from them in the per- 
formance of an arduous office. 

"A contemplation of the complete attainment, at a period earlier than 
could have been expected, of the object for which we contended, against 
so formidable a power, cannot but inspire us with astonishment and 
gratitude. The disadvantageous circumstartees, on our part, under which 
the war was undertaken, can never be forgotten. The signal interposi- 
tions of Providence, in our feeble condition, were such as could scarcely 
escape the attention of the most unobserving; while the unparalleled 
perseverance of the armies of the United States, through almost every 
possible suffering and discouragement, for the space of eight long years, 
was little short of a standing miracle." 

His closing words are: "And being now to conclude 
these his last public orders, to take his ultimate leave in 
a short time of the military character, and to bid adieu to 
the armies he has so long had the honor to command, he 
can only again offer in their behalf his recommendations 
to their grateful country, and his prayers to the God of 
armies. May ample justice be done them here, and may 
the choicest of Heaven's favors, both here and hereafter, 
attend those who, under the divine auspices, have secured 
innumerable blessings for others! With these wishes, and 
this benediction, the commander-in-chief is about to retire 
from service. The curtain of separation will soon be 
drawn, and the military scene to him will be closed for 
ever." — The definitive treaty of peace was signed on the 



34-6 EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 

23d of September, and Congress, having ratified it, tbey 
issued a proclamation to disband tlieir army. This pro- 
clamation purports, "that part of the army which stood 
engaged to serve during the war, and by several acts of 
Congress had been furloughed, should be absolutely dis- 
charged after the 8d of November from said service, and _ 
that the further service in the field of the ofl&cers deranged, 
and on furlough, are now dispensed with, and they have 
permission to retire from service, no more to be called to 
command," &c. In their proclamation, Congress give 
their thanks to the army for their exertions in the cause 
of America and the common rights of mankind. The 
mode of disbanding the army was well calculated to pre- 
vent any disorders, which might have been the conse- 
quence of dismissing a large number of men in a body. 
The advice of their beloved commander-in-chief, and the 
resolves of Congress to pay and compensate them in such 
manner as the ability of the United States would permit, 
operated to keep them quiet and prevent tumult. Painful 
indeed was the parting scene; no description can be ade- 
quate to the tragic exhibition. Both officers and soldiers, 
long unaccustomed to the affairs of private life, turned 
loose on the world to starve and to become a prey to vul- 
ture speculators. Never can that melancholy day be for- 
gotten when friends, companions for seven long years in 
joy and in sorrow, were torn asunder, without the hope 
of ever meeting again, and with prospects of a miserable 
subsistence in future. Among other incidents, peculiarly 
affecting on this occasion, were the lamentations of women 
and children, earnestly entreating that those with whom 
they had been connected in the character of husband and 
lather, would not withdraw from them the hand of kind- 
ness and protection, and leave them in despair; but in 
several instances the reply was. No; "we took you as 
companions during the ivar, and now we are destitute of the 
means of support, and you must provide for yourselves." 
November 2dth. — The British army evacuated New York, 
and the American troops, under General Knox, took pos- 
session of the city. Soon after, General Washington and 
Governor Clinton, with their suite, made their public en- 
try into the city on horseback, followed by the lieutenant- 
governor and the members of council, for the temporary 



EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 347 

government of the Southern district, four abreast. Gen- 
eral Knox and the officers of the army, eight abreast; 
citizens on horseback, eight abreast; the speaker of the 
assembly and citizens on foot, eight abreast. The gov- 
ernor gave a public dinner, at which the commander-in- 
chief, and other general officers were present. The ar- 
rangements for the whole business were so well made 
and executed, that the most admirable tranquillity suc- 
ceeded through the day and night. On Monday the 
governor gave an elegant entertainment to the French 
ambassador, the Chevalier de la Luzerne; General Wash- 
ington, the principal officers of New York state and of 
the arm}^, and upwards of a hundred gentlemen, were 
present. Magnificent fire-works, infinitely exceeding every 
thing of the kind before seen in the United States, were 
exhibited at the Bowling Green in Broadway, on the 
evening of Tuesday, in celebration of the definitive treaty 
of peace. They commenced by a dove descending with 
the olive branchy and setting fire to a marron battery. On 
Tuesday noon, December 4th, the principal officers of the 
array assembled at Francis' tavern, to take a final leave 
of their much-loved commander-in-chief Soon after, his 
excellency entered the room. His emotions were too 
strong to be concealed. Filling a glass, he turned to them, 
and said, "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now 
take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter 
days may be as prosperous and happy as your former 
ones have been glorious and honorable." Plaving drank, 
he added, "I cannot come to each of you to take my leave, 
but shall be obliged to you, if each of you will come and 
take me by the hand." General Knox, being nearest, 
turned to him. Incapable of utterance, Washington, in 
tears^ grasped his hand, embraced and kissed him. In the 
same affectionate manner he took leave of each succeeding 
officer. In every eye was the tear of dignified sensibility ; 
and not a word was articulated, to interrupt the eloquent 
silence and tenderness of the scene. Leaving the room, 
he passed through the corps of light-infantry, and walked 
to White Hall, where a barge waited to convey him to 
Paulus' Hook. The whole company followed in mute and 
solemn procession, with dejected countenances, testifying 
feelings of delicious melancholy which no language can 



348 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

describe. Having entered the barge, he turned to the 
company, and, waving his hat, bid them a silent adieu. 
They paid him the same affectionate compliment, and after 
the barge had left them, returned in the same solemn 
manner to the place where they had assembled. The 
passions of human nature were never more tenderly agi- 
tated than in this interesting and distressful scene. 

General Washington now repaired to Annapolis, where 
Congress were in session, to whom he resigned his com- 
mission, which eight years before he had received from 
this honorable body. On the 28d of December, the day 
appointed for the very interesting transaction, a vast con- 
course of spectators attended. The gallery was filled with 
a group of ladies, and some graced the floor of Congress. 
The governor, council and legislature of Maryland, several 
general officers, the consul general of France, and numer- 
ous citizens of Annapolis were present. Congress were 
seated and covered, as representatives of the sovereignty 
of the union; the spectators were uncovered and standing. 
The general was introduced to a chair by the secretary, 
who, after a decent interval, ordered silence. A short 
pause ensued, when the honorable Thomas Mifflin, the 
president, informed the general that "the United Slates 
in Congress assembled were prepared to receive his com- 
munications." On which, he rose with dignity, and deliv- 
ered this address: 

"Mr. President: The great events on which my resignation de- 
pended, having at length taken place, I now h;ive the honor of offering 
my sincere congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself before 
them, to surrender into their hands the trust committed to me, and to 
claim the indulgence of retiring from the service of my country. 

"Happy in the confirmation of our independence and sovereignty, and 
pleased with the opportunity aff'orded the United States of becoming a 
respectable nation, 1 resign with sjtisf iction the appointment I accepted 
with diffidence — a diffidence in my abilities, to accumplish so arduous a 
task, which, however, was superseded by a confidence in the rectitude 
of our cause, the support of the supreme power of the union, and the 
patronage of Heaven. 

"The successful termination of the war has verified the most sanguine 
expectations: my gratitude for the interpositions of Providence, and the 
assistance I have receiyed from my countrymen, increase with every re- 
view of the momentous contest. 

" While I respect my obligations to the army in general, I should do 
injustice to my own feelings not to acknowledge in this place the pecu- 
liar services and distinguished merits of the persons who have been 




OEJVERAL PHILIP SCHUYLER. P. 370. 



KEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1788. 349 

attached to my person during the war. It was impossible the choice of 
confidential officers to compose my family should have been more for- 
tunate. Permit me, sir, to recommend in particular those who have 
continued in the service to the present moment, as worthy of the ftivor- 
able notice and patronage of Congress. 

"I consider it as an indispensable duty to close this last solemn net of 
my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to 
the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintend- 
ence of them to his holy keeping. 

"Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great 
theatre of action ; and bidding an affectionate farewell to this august 
body, under whose orders I have long acted, I here offer my commis- 
sion, and take my leave of all the employments of public life." 

This address being ended, General Washington ad- 
vanced, and delivered his commission into the hands of 
the President of Congress, who replied as follows: 

"The United States, in Congress assembled, receive with emotions 
too affecting for utterance the solemn resignation of the authorities un- 
der which you have led their troops with success through a perilous and 
doubtful war. 

"Called on by your country to defend its invaded rights, you accepted 
the sacred charge before it had formed alliances, and while it was without 
friends or a government to support you. 

"You have conducted the great militnry contest with wisdom and 
fortitude, invariably regarding the rights of the civil power, through all 
disasters and changes. You have, by the love and confidence of your 
fellow-citizens, enabled them to display their martial genius, and trans- 
mit their fame to posterity; you have persevered till these United States, 
aided by a magnanimous king and nation, have been enabled, under a 
just Providence, to close the war in safety, freedom, and independency; 
on which happy event we sincerely join you in congratulations. 

" Having defended the standard of liberty in this new world ; having 
taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, and to those who feel oppres- 
sion, you retire from the great theatre of action with the blessings of 
your fellow-citizens; but the glory of your virtues will not terminate 
with your military command : it will continue to animate remotest ages. 
We feel, with you, our obligations to the army in general, and will par- 
ticularly charge ourselves with the interest of those confidential officers 
who have attended your person to this affecting moment. 

"We join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to 
the protection of Almighty God, beseeching him to dispose the hearts 
and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of 
becoming a happy and respectable nation ; and for you we address to 
Him our earnest prayers, that a life so beloved may be fostered with all 
his care; that your days may be happy, as they have been illustrious, and 
that he will finally give you that reward which this world cannot give." 

It is impossible to conceive that greater honor can be 
conferred on any man, than to receive the united acknowl- 
Bb 



350 KEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

edgments of three millions of people, assembled by their 
representatives, declaring to all the world that he has been 
the temporal saviour of his country ! His mind was power- 
ful and enlightened, his devotion to his country fervent, his 
sacrifices great and important, and his triumphs noble and 
splendid ; and his memory will be blessed and immortal ! 

It has been estimated that the loss of lives in the various 
armies of the United States, during the war, is not less 
than seventy thousand. The numbers who died on board 
of the horrid prison-ships of the enemy cannot be calcu- 
lated. It is, however, confidently asserted, that no less 
than eleven thousand of our brave soldiers died on board 
the one called the Jersey prison-shij), oi^lj ! This dreadful 
mortality is universally attributed to the cruel treatment 
which they received while crowded together in close con- 
finement. 

The loss to Great Britain is two large armies captured 
by the United States, exclusively of many thousands killed 
and taken in various actions during the war; thirteen 
colonies dismembered from her, and an increase of her 
national debt, in seven years, one hundred and twenty 
millions. 

The United States have gained that independence and 
liberty for which they contended, and find their debt to 
be less than forty-five millions of dollars, which is short of 
ten millions of pounds sterling ! This long-protracted war- 
fare, waged in behalf of American freedom, is now tri- 
umphantly terminated, and a sanctuary sacred to civil and 
religious liberty will be opened in this western hemisphere. 

Extract of a Circular Letter from his Excellency George Waxhington, 
Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States of America, 
to the Governors of the several States. 

"Head-Quarters, Newburgh, June, 18, 1783. 

"For my own part, conscious of having acted, while a servant of the 
public, in the manner I conceived best suited tu promote the real inter- 
ests of my country; having, in consequence of my fixed belief, in some 
measure pledged myself to the army that their country would finally do 
them complete and ample justice, and not willing to conceal any instance 
of my official conduct from the eyes of the world, I have thought proper 
to transmit to your excellency the inclosed collection of papers, relative 
to the half-pay and commutation granted by Congress to the otiicers of 
the army. 

" From these communications, my decided sentiment will be clearly 



EEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 351 

comprehended, together with the conclusive reasons which induced me at 
an early period to recommend the adoption of this measure in the most 
earnest and serious manner. As the proceedings of Congress, the army, 
and myself are open to all, and contain, in my opinion, sufficient infor- 
mation to remove the prejudice and errors which may have been enter- 
tained by any, I think it unnecessary to say any thing more than just to 
observe, that the resolutions of Congress, now alluded to, are as undoubt- 
edly and absolutely binding on the United States, as the most solemn 
acts of confederation or legislation. 

"As to the idea, which I am informed has in some instances prevailed, 
that the half-pay and commutation are to be regarded merely in the 
odious light of a pension, it ought to be exploded for ever: That pro- 
vision should be viewed as it really was, a reasonable compensation 
ofl'ered by Congress, at a time when they had nothing else to give, to 
officers of the army for services then to be performed: It was the only 
means to prevent a total dereliction of the service ; it was a part of their 
hire — I may be allowed to say, it was the price of their blood and of 
3'our independency; it is therefore more than a common debt; it is a 
debt of honor; it can never be considered i\s a pension or gratuity, nor 
canceled till it is fairly discharged." 

For the following sketch I am indebted to the Hon. Wil- 
liam Eustis, a highly respectable surgeon in the hospital 
department during the revolutionary war: 

COLONEL JOHN CRANE, AND OTHERS. 

The mechanics of Boston and its vicinity may take a 
just pride in having furnished from their ranks some of 
the bravest and most useful officers of the revolutionary 
army, and, among them, no one more brave or more use- 
ful than John Crane. 

In adverting to the sources whence they derived their 
knowledge of discipline and of service, our first object is to 
show, from facts and experience, the utility and importance 
of a well-organized militia, and to defend this invaluable in- 
stitution from the reproaches of the ignorant and assuming, 
who would sap the foundation of the national defence ; and 
secondly, to inspire the young mechanics with zeal in the 
military profession, that like their predecessors they may 
become the able and substantial defenders of their country. 

Previous to the war of the revolution, there was in 
Boston a company of artillery, commanded by Captain 
Adino Paddock, by profession a chaise-maker. It was 
composed principally, if not altogether, of the mechanics 
of Boston, and was distinguished by its superior disci- 
pline, by the exactness of its manoeuvres and the accuracy 



352 EEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783 

of its firings. Paddock had tory connexions, adhered to 
the British, went to England, was consulted repeatedly by 
the British ministry, and was invested with the militai'y 
command of the island of Guernsey. In this company 
were raised Colonel John Crane, Colonel (now General) 
Ebenezer Stevens, with others, all of whose names are not 
recollected. Crane and Stevens were house-carpenters, 
Perkins was a shoe-maker, Seward a hatter, Popkins a 
tailor, Allen a sail-maker, Carnes a rope-maker, Lillie a 

cooper, Johnson a painter. Treat a cooper, Burbeck a , 

Hall a mason, D. Bryant a chair-maker. Cook a butcher, 
Thomas a cooper, and Allen a sail-maker. 

The greater part of these with others formed a regiment 
of artillery, not exceeded in discipline, valor, and useful- 
ness by any regiment in service. Crane was made a major 
in 1775. An uneducated man, he had all the pride and 
ambition of a soldier. He was constitutionally bold and 
daring, courting danger wdierever it was to be found. 

In 1775, when Boston was besieged, his station was in 
Eoxbury. On Boston neck a breastwork was constructed, 
and so soon as cannon could be procured they were 
mounted. Crane had the command, spent a great part of 
his time there, and was never more delighted than when 
he was permitted to fire on the British intrenchment. Our 
stock of powder was then small. It was on this theatre 
that he first displayed an undaunted courage, and a knowl- 
edge of the art of gunnery, not often displayed by old 
artillery officers. He repeatedly dismounted the cannon 
in the embrasures of the British works, killing and wound- 
ing their men. After the evacuation of Boston, he marched 
to New York. Whenever a British ship-of-war appeared 
in the East or North rivers, or any firing was heard, Crane 
was on horseback, and galloped to the scene of action. 
Being reproached on an occasion when he exposed himself 
alone, riding through Greenwich-street, under the constant 
broadsides of a passing ship, he replied, "The shot is not 
cast which is to kill me." 

Not long after, a frigate run up the East river, and an- 
chored on the Long Island side, near Corlaer's hook. Four 
field-pieces were ordered to annoy her. They were only 
six-pounders. Crane, as usual, was present, and pointed 
the pieces. His sight was remarkably true — his aim was 



EEVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 1783. 1553 

sure. He had from Labit and the acuteness of his vision 
the faculty of seeing a cannon-ball on its passage through 
the air. A falling shot from the ship he kenned in a 
direction to strike, as he thought, the lower part of his 
body. Not having time to change his position in any other 
way, he whirled himself round on one foot; the ball struck 
the other foot while raised in the air, carrying away the 
great toe and ball of the foot. Thus ended his usefulness 
for the campaign. He was afterwards removed to New 
Jersey, and, surviving the perils of a partial jaw-lock, so 
far recovered as to go home on furlough. He returned 
the ftext spring, and continued in service till the peace. 
• The nature of this work will not allow us to follow him 
through the remainder of his career; but we cannot refrain 
from stating a closing anecdote, illustrative of his inde- 
pendent spirit. He had been among the number of those 
who thought the army had been neglected by the country, 
and spake as he felt, indignantly, at the treatment they 
had received. A board of general and field officers, with 
two hospital surgeons, were appointed to examine the 
wounded officers and soldiers in camp at the close of the 
war, and to report the rate of compensation to which they 
were severally entitled. A friend and brother-officer, who 
well knew the nature of his wound, waited on Colonel 
Crane, represented to him that, on his return to private 
life, his activity of mind and body would lead him to some 
kind of labor, and that having lost the ball of his foot, the 
bones would come through the cicatrix, and his wound open 
again, asking the favor of him to walk over, and suffer his 
foot to be inspected. Stamping the wounded foot on the 
floor, he replied, indignantly, "No, sir; they never shall 
say that I eat their bread when I have done serving them." 

He entered afterwards on active and laborious business, 
and prospered for a number of years, met with adverse 
circumstances, his wound broke out again, he could no 
longer labor. After many years he came to the friend 
who had admonished him of the consequences of his wound, 
and said to him, with tears in his eyes, "My friend, I am 
now a humbled man, you may do with me as you please." 
He was immediately placed on the pension-list, but did 
not live a year to enjoy his pension. 

The important services of Major Stevens, who com- 



354 EEVOLUTIONAEY ANNALS, 1783. 

manded the artillery under General Gates, in the campaign 
of 1777, are well known. 

There are anecdotes relative to many others of them, 
illustrative of their bravery in the field, and of their 
magnanimity and general usefulness during the war which 
we have not room to particularize. One, however, we 
cannot in justice omit. David Bryant, bred a chair-maker 
in Boston, and afterwards a lieutenant in the artillery, was 
a man of small stature, but remarkable for the strictness 
of discipline which he observed from the earliest period 
of the war. At the close of the battle of Brandy wine, he 
was hard pressed by the enemy, and was mortally wound- 
ed. His men hovered round him to take care of him. He 
addressed them in the following words: "My lads, it is 
over with me; leave me, but don't leave the pieces." His 
words were electric; they saved their pieces, and brought 
him oft' on the trail. He died in the American camp. 

To the above catalogue of worthies may be added Col- 
onel Paul Kevere ; his occupation was that of a gold-smith. 
He was a very active and influential patriot at the com- 
mencement of the revolution, associated with a number of 
mechanics, who watched with a vigilant eye every move- 
ment of the British, and promptly conmiunicated intelli- 
gence to the proper authority. In the evening preceding 
the 19th of April, 1775, Colonel Kevere was one of the 
first who discovered that a British detachment was ordered 
on an expedition into the country, and with the utmost 
despatch repaired to Lexington, spreading the alarm among 
the n^ilitia, and giving notice to Messrs. Hancock and 
Adams, who were then at the house of the clergyman in 
that town, that they might escape the impending danger. 
Colonel Revere was afterwards appointed to command a 
regiment of artillery in the militia, and was on the unfor- 
tunate Penobscot expedition in the summer of 1779. He 
was through life esteemed for unimpeachable integrity, 
attachment to correct political principles, and as a useful 
citizen. He died, in Boston, in 1818, in his eighty- 
fourth year. 

Dr. John Thomas is a respectable regimental surgeon. 
He possesses a remarkable laculty of mimicry, and no 
person in New England can tell a Yankee story with more 
genuine humor. An occurrence at head-quarters is thus 



EEVOLUTIONAKY ANNALS, 1783. 355 

related by a gentleman who was present. General Wash- 
ington seldom smiles ; I never saw him laugh but once ; 
it was after the preliminaries of peace were signed, and at 
a Yankee story told by Dr. Thomas. The doctor being 
invited to dine at head-quarters, one of the aids requested 
the general's permission for him to repeat the dialogue 
between two New England men who had visited the 
French camp. In doing this, he repeated quaint speeches 
and remarks in a manner so inimitably ludicrous, that no 
one but his excellency could contain his gravity. At 
length he added, "What, said Jonathan, do you think 
Chambeau's soldiers call a hat? the tarnation fools, they 
(iall it a chappeau! Why, and be darn'd to them, can't 
they call it a hat and adone with it?" The general could 
no longer refrain; he burst into a fit of laughter. There 
is not perhaps another man who can boast of exciting 
laughter in General Washington. 

Captain Houdin, commonly pronounced Udang, is a 
Frenchman of singular manners and character, and ludi- 
crous in his personal appearance, being rather tall, but 
slender ; his features are sharp and irregular, complexion 
dark, with small jet-black eyes. His long hair is brought 
in a braid to the top of his head, which is constantly cov- 
ered with powder; he is never seen without his small- 
sword, nor in conversation without a display of vanity and 
affectation. He converses in broken English, with rapid 
articulation, often perverting words from their legitimate 
meaning. Dr. Thomas and Udang have at command an 
inexhaustible fund of merriment and humor, and Udang 
once said to the doctor, "You can take me off better than 
I can myself" On a return from Boston, in 1780, he re- 
lated some incidents that occurred to him, which have 
frequently been repeated to aid in festive mirth. Some 
wag, knowing his vanity and affectation of consequence, 
had employed g, negro wench to make a familiar address 
to him in some public place. This was a severe mortifi- 
cation, and destroyed all the comforts of his visit. In 
answer to an inquiry how he hked Boston, this vexation 
was uppermost in his mind. "I like Boston very well, all 
but one d — d madam nig." On being pressed further, he 
related the particulars with all the action and irritation 
that the reality occasioned. One gentleman said to me, 



g5g EEVOLOTIONAEY ANNALS, 178S. 

Will you take a walk to the market — twas one very fine 
market — de poult, de geese, ebery ting — one very fine 
assortimeyit — dere it was I hear somebody say behind, ' IIow 
do you do, Captain UdanyT I looked round; one black 
bish say again, making reverence, '/ hope you he luell, 
Captain Udang.^ Who be you speak to me in de market? 
'You forget,' she say, ' I was your sweetheart in 77.' Hoi 
you tongue, you d — d rascal bish. You speak to me in 
de market, when I am wid gentlemen, I cut off your head, 
I will, you rascal wench. I was so asham, I put de hat 
over my eyes and run right home tro five tousand people. 
Next day some gentlemen tell me who own the black bish 
dat spoke to me in de market, and advise me to tell de 
mistress. I go to the house, and knock, knock — by by 
door open, ^ How do you do, Captain Udang'' — de same 
black bish rascal dat spoke to me in de market. Who 
own you? Tell you mistress one gentleman oflicer wish to 
see her. Madam, say I, do you own dat d — d madam nig, 
dat spoke to me in de market. She say, if you had not 
been too familiar with my negro wench, she would not 
spoke to you in de market. I say, 'You be one d — d 
rascal yourself, madam.' " 

There is, among many good anecdotes related of Mon- 
sieur, one that shows the simplicity of the man, and is 
characteristic of the times. Before and at the period of 
the adoption of the federal constitution, great excitement 
existed in many parts of the country against many of its 
leading provisions, much mischief was predicted, and the 
irritated spirit of party could discern nothing but the most 
odious features and destructive tendencies. Houdin, on 
whom principles and opinions set rather loosely, was a 
zealous anti-federalist. After the new government was 
adopted, he was among the first to apply to the war de- 
partment for an ofiice. With no very favorable indication 
in his manner, General Knox inquired, "Do you expect 
patronage under that system of government that you have 
every where assailed?" "Ah, general," says Monsieur, 
"I tot it was popular; I meant noting." This honest 
simplicity availed him with the frank and generous mind 
of Knox, more than a hypocritical, canting afiectation of 
patriotism. He received the appointment of conductor of 
military stores, which he held till his death. 





APPENDIX. 



NOTE I— See Page 102. 

General Burgoyne, in his defence, after his arrival 
in England, as commander of the Northern expedition, 
has paid a just tribute of praise to American bravery. 
Adverting to the action of the 19th of September, he 
says: "Few actions have been characterized by more ob- 
stinacy in attack or defence. The British bayonet was 
repeatedly tried ineffectually. Eleven hundred British 
soldiers, foiled in these trials, bore incessant fire from a 
succession of fresh troops, in superior numbers, for above 
four hours; and after a loss of above a third of their num- 
ber, and in one of the regiments above two-thirds, forced 
the enemy at last. Of a detachment of a captain and forty- 
eight artillery-men, the captain and thirty-six men were 
killed or wounded. The tribute of praise due to such 
troops, will not be wanting in this generous nation," His 
observations respecting the action of the 7th of October, 
are expressed in the following energetic and feeling lan- 
guage: "The losses in the action were uncommonly se- 
vere. Sir Francis Clark, my aid-de-camp, had originally 
recommended himself to my attention by his talents and 
diligence. As service and intimacy opened his character 
more, he became endeared to me by every quality that 
can create esteem, I lost in him a useful assistant, an 
amiable companion, an attached friend; the state was de- 
prived by his death of one of the fairest promises of an 
able general. 

"The fate of Colonel Ackland, taken prisoner, and then 
supposed to be mortally wounded, was a second source of 
anxiety. . General Frazer was expiring. 

"In the course of the action, a shot had passed through 



358 APPENDIX. 

my hat, and another had torn my waistcoat. I should be 
sorry to be thought at any time insensible to the protecting 
hand of Providence; but I ever more particularly consid 
ered a soldier's hair-breadth escapes as incentives to duty, 
a marked renewal of the trust of being, for the due pur- 
poses of a public station; and under this reflection, to lose 
our fortitude, by giving way to our affections, to be di- 
verted by any possible self-emotion from meeting a present 
exigency with our best faculties, were at once dishonor 
and impiety." 

General Frazer died of his wounds on the 8th instant. 
Before his death, he requested that his body might be car- 
ried, without parade, by the officers of his own corps to 
the great redoubt, and there buried. About sun-set the 
corpse was carried up the hill, and necessarily passed in 
view of both armies. Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, and 
lleidesel placed themselves in the humble procession. As 
General Gates was not made acquainted with the intended 
solemnity, a constant cannonade was kept up by our peo- 
ple, directed to the hill, where the ceremony was per- 
formed. From the pen of General Burgoyne, we have 
the following eloquent delineation of the melancholy 
scene: "The incessant cannonade during the solemnity, 
the steady attitude and unaltered voice with which the 
clergyman officiated, though frequently covered with dust, 
which the shot threw up on all sides of him ; the mute, 
but expressive mixture of sensibility and indignation on 
every countenance; these objects will remain to the last 
of life on the mind of every man who was present. The 
growing duskiness added to the scenery, and the whole 
marked a character of this juncture, that would make one 
of the finest subjects for the pencil of a master that the 
field ever exhibited. To the canvas and to the page of a 
more important historian, gallant friend! I consign thy 
memory. There may thy talents, thy manly virtues, their 
progress and their period, find due distinction; and long 
may they survive, long after the frail record of my pen 
shall be forgotten!" 

The following appropriate lines are from the elegant 
pen of Mrs. Morton: 

To gallant Gates, in war serenely brave, 
The tide of fortune turns its refluent wave; 



APPENDIX. 359 

Forced by his arm, the bold invaders yield 
The prize and glory of the well-fought field ; 
Bleeding and lost the captured Ackland lies, 
While leaden slumbers seal his Frazers eyes; 
Frazer! whose deeds unfoding glories claim, 
Endear'd by virtue, and adorn'd by fome. 



LADY ACKLAND.— See Page 110. 

FuETHER particulars respecting the affecting story of 
this distinguished lady have since appeared ; and from the 
writings of General Burgoyne and other sources I extract 
the following. She accompanied Major Ackland to Can- 
ada in 1776, and was called to attend on him while sick 
in a miserable hut at Chamblee. In the expedition to 
Ticonden^ga, in 1777, she was positively enjoined not to 
expose herself to the risk and hazards which might occur 
on that occasion; but Major Ackland, having received a 
wound in the battle of Hubberton, she crossed Lake 
Champlain to pay her attention to him. After this, she 
followed his fortune, and shared his fatigue, while tra- 
versing the dreary, woody country to Fort Edward. Here 
the tent in which they lodged took fire by night, from 
which they escaped with the utmost difficulty. During 
the action of the 19th of September, she was exposed to 
great fatigue, and inexpressible anxiety for the fate of her 
husband, being advanced in the front of the battle. On 
the 7th of October, during the heat of the conflict. Lady 
Ackland took refuge among the wounded and dying; her 
husband, commanding the grenadiers, was in the most 
exposed part of the action, and she in awful suspense 
awaiting his fate. The Baroness Eeidesel, and the wives 
of two other field-officers, were her companions in painful 
apprehension. One of these officers was soon brought in 
dangerously wounded, and the death of the other was 
announced. It was not long before intelligence was re- 
ceived that the British army was defeated, and that Major 
Ackland was desperately wounded and taken. The next 
day she proposed to visit her husband in the American 
camp. General Burgoyne observes, " Though I was ready 
to believe, for I had experienced, that patience and forti- 
tude in a supreme degree were to be found, as well as 



360 APPENDIX. f 

every other virtue, under the most tender form, I was 
astonished at this proposal. After so long an agitation of 
the spirits, exhausted not only for want of rest, but abso 
lutely want of food, drenched in rain for twelve hours 
together, that a woman should be capable of delivering 
herself to the enemy, probably in the night, and uncertain 
into what hands she might fall, appeared an effort above 
human nature. The assistance I was enabled to give was 
small indeed; I had not even a cup of wine to offer her; 
but I was told she had found from some kind and fortunate 
hand a little rum and dirty water. All I could furnish to 
her was an open boat and a few lines written on dirty and 
wet paper to General Gates, recommending her to his pro- 
tection. — It is due to justice, at the close of this adventure, 
to say, that she was received and accommodated by Gen- 
eral Gates, with all the humanity and respect that her 
rank, her merits, and her fortunes deserved. 

"Let such as are affected by these circmmstances of 
alarm, hardship and danger, recollect that the subject of 
them was a woman of the most tender and delicate frame; 
of the gentlest manners; habituated to all the soft ele- 
gancies and refined enjoyments that attend high birth and 
fortune; and far advanced in a state in which the tender 
cares, always due to the sex, become indispensably neces- 
sary. Her mind alone was formed for such trials." 

The adventures of Lady Ackland have been a theme 
for the display of the poetic talents of the accomplished 
lady of Perez Morton, Esq. It is regretted that the limits 
of this production will not admit of more than the follow- 
ing lines, and those on the preceding page, from that ex- 
cellent poem : 

"'Twas now the time, when twilight's misty ray 
Drops the brown curtain of retiring day ; 
The clouds of heaven, like midnight mountnins, lower, 
Waft the wild blast, and dash the drizzly shower: 
Through the wet path her restless footsteps roam, 
To where (he leader spread his spacious dome; 
Low at his feet she pours the desperate prayer — 
•Give my lost husband to my soothing care: 
Give me, in yonder solitary cave, 
With duteous love, his burning wounds to lave, 
On the warm pillow, which this breast supplies, 
Catch his faint breath, and close his languid eyes, 
Or in his cause my proffer'd life resign, 
Mine were his blessings, and his pains are mine.'" 



APPENDIX. 361 



NOTE II.— See Page 112. 



The following sketch, borrowed from the Memoirs of 
General Wilkinson, is too highly interesting to be omitted; 
every reader of taste will be gratified with the perusal, 
and, for myself, I owe to General Wilkinson only an 
apology for the liberty I have taken. 

Extract from the Baroness ReideseVs Narrative. 

"As we had to march still farther, I ordered a large 
calash to be built, capable of holding my three children, 
myself, and two female servants; in this manner we moved 
with the army in the midst of the soldiery, who were very 
merry, singing songs, and panting for action. We had to 
travel through almost impassable woods and a most pic- 
turesque and beautiful country, which was abandoned by 
its inhabitants, who had repaired to the standard of Gen- 
eral Gates; they added much to his strength, as they were 
all good marksmen, and fitted by habit for the species of 
warfare the contending parties were then engaged in — and 
the love of their country inspired them with more than 
ordinary courage. The army had shortly to encamp; I 
generally remained about an hour's march in the rear, 
where I received daily visits from my husband; the army 
was frequently engaged in small affairs, but nothing of 
importance took place; and as the season was getting cold, 
Major Williams of the artillery proposed to have a house 
built for me with a chimney, observing that it would not 
cost more than five or six guineas, and that the frequent 
change of quarters was very inconvenient to me ; it was 
accordingly built, and was called the Block-house from its 
square form and the resemblance it bore to those buildings. 

"On the 19th of September, an affair happened which, 
though it turned out to our advantage, yet obliged us to 
halt at a place called Freeman's firm ; I was an eye-wit- 
ness to the whole affair, and as my husband was engaged 
in it, I was full of anxiety, and trembled at every shot I 
heard; I saw a great number of the wounded, and, what 
added to the distress of the scene, three of them were 
brought into the house in which I took shelter; one was 
a Major Harnage of the sixty-second British regiment, the 



362 APPENDIX, 

husband of a lady of my acquaintance; another was a 
lieutenant, married to a lady with whom I had the honor 
to be on terms of intimacy, and the third was an officer 
of the name of Young. 

"In a short time afterwards I heard groans proceeding 
from a room near mine, and knew they must have been, 
occasioned by the sufferings of the last-mentioned officer, 
who lay writhing with his wounds. 

"His mournful situation interested me much, and the 
more so, because the recollection of many polite attentions, 
received from a family of that name during my visit to 
England, was still forcibly impressed on my mind. I sent 
to him, and begged him to accept my best services, and 
afterwards furnished him with food and refreshments; he 
expressed a great desire to see me, politely calling me his 
benefactress. I accordingly visited him, and found -him 
lying on a little straw, as he had lost his equipage. He 
was a young man, eighteen or nineteen years of age, and 
really the beloved nephew of the Mr. Young, the head of 
the family I have mentioned, and the only son of his 
parents. This last circumstance was what he lamented 
most; as to his pain, he thought lightly of it. He had lost 
much blood, and it was thought necessary to amputate the 
leg; but this he would not consent to, and of course a 
mortification took place. I sent him cushions and cover- 
ings, and my female friends sent him a mattress. I re- 
doubled my attention to him, and visited him every day, 
for which I received a thousand wishes for my happiness. 
At last his limb was amputated, but it was too late, and 
he died the following day. As he lay in the next room 
to me, and the partition was very thin, I distinctly heard 
his last sigh, when his immortal part quitted its frail 
tenement, and, I trust, winged its way to the mansions of 
eternal bliss. 

"But severer trials awaited us, and on the 7th of Octo- 
ber our misfortunes began ; I was at breakfast with my 
husband, and heard that something was intended. On 
the same day I expected Generals Burgoyne, Phillips and 
Frazer to dine with us. I saw a great movement among 
the troops ; my husband told me it was merely a recon- 
noisance, which gave me no concern, as it often happened. 
I walked out of the house, and met several Indians in 



APPENDIX. 



863 



their Avar dresses, with guns in their hands. When I 
asked them where they were going, they cried out, 'War! 
war!' meaning that they were going to battle. This filled 
me with apprehension, and I had scarcely got home before 
I heard reports of cannon and musketry, which grew 
louder by degress, till at last the noise became excessive. 
About four o'clock in the afternoon, instead of the guests 
whom I expected, General Frazer was brought on a litter, 
mortally wounded. The table, which was already set, 
was instantly removed, and a bed placed in its stead for 
the wounded general. I sat trembling in a corner; the 
noise grew louder, and the alarm increased ; the thought 
that my husband might perhaps be brought in, wounded 
in the same manner, was terrible to me, and distressed me 
exceedingly. General Frazer said to the surgeon, 'Tell 
me if my wound is mortal; do not flatter me.' The ball 
had passed through his body, and, unhappil}^ for the gen- 
eral, he had eaten a very hearty breakfast, by which the 
stomach was distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, 
had passed through it. I heard him often exclaim, with 
a sigh, 'Oh, fatal ambition! Poor General Burgoyne! 
Oh, my poor wife!' He was asked if he had any request 
to make, to which he replied, that, 'If General Burgoyne 
would permit it, he should like to be buried at six o'clock 
in the evening, on the top of a mountain, in a redoubt 
which had been built there.' I did not know which way 
to turn: all the other rooms were full of sick. Towards 
evening I saw my husband coming. Then I forgot all 
my sorrows, and thanked God that he was spared to me. 
lie ate in great haste with me and his aid-de-camp, behind 
the house. We had been told that we had the advantage 
over the enemy, but the sorrowful faces I beheld told a 
different tale, and before my husband went away he took 
me aside, and said every thing was going very badly; that 
I must keep myself in readiness to leave the place, but 
not to mention it to any one. I made the pretence that 
I would move the next morning into my new house, and 
had every thing packed up ready. 

•'Lady Ackland had a tent not far from our house; in 
this she slept, and the rest of the day she was in the camp. 
All of a sudden a man came to tell her that her husband 
was mortally wounded and taken prisoner; on hearing 



3(54 APPENDIX. 

this she became very miserable; we comforted her by tell 
ing her that the wound was only slight, and at the same 
time advised her to go over to her husband, to do which, 
she would certainly obtain permission, and then she would 
attend him herself; she was a charming woman, and very 
fond of him. I spent much of the night in comforting 
her, and then went again to my children, whom I had put 
to bed. I could not go to sleep, as I had General Frazer 
and all the other wounded gentlemen in my room, and I 
was sadly afraid my children would wake, and by their 
crying disturb the dying man in his last moments, who 
often addressed me, and apologized \for the trouble he gave 
we.' About three o'clock in the morning I was told that 
he could, not hold out much longer; I had desired to be 
informed of the near approach of this sad crisis, and I then 
wrapped up my children in their clothes, and went with 
them into the room below. About eight o'clock in the 
morning he died. After he was laid out, and his corpse 
wrapped up in a sheet, we came again into the room, and 
had this sorrowful sight before us the whole day, and, to 
add to the melancholy scene, almost every moment some 
officer of ray acquaintance was brought in wounded. The 
cannonade commenced again ; a retreat was spoken of, but 
not the smallest motion was made towards it. About four 
o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the house which had just 
been built for me in flames, and the enemy was now not 
far off. We knew that General Burgoyne would not re- 
fuse the last request of General Frazer, though, by his 
acceding to it, an unnecessary delay was occasioned, by 
which the inconvenience of the army was much increased. 
At six o'clock the corpse was brought out, and we saw 
all the generals attend it to the mountain ; the chaplain, 
Mr. Brudenell, performed the funeral service, rendered 
unusually solemn and awful from its being accompanied 
by constant peals from the enemy's artillery. Many can- 
non-balls flew close by me, but I had my eyes directed 
towards the mountain,* where my husband was standing, 
amidst the fire of the enemy, and of course I could not 
think of my own danger. 

"General Gates afterwards said that, if he had known 

* The height occupied by Burgoyne on the ]8th, which ran parallel 
with the river till it approached General Gates' camp. 



APPENDIX. 3t)5 

it had been a funeral, lie would not have permitted it to 
be fired on. 

"So soon as the funeral-service was finished, and the 
grave of General Frazer was closed, an order was issued 
that the army should retreat. My calash was prepared, 
but I would not consent to go before the troops. Major 
Harnage, though suffering from his wounds, crept from 
his bjed, as he did not wish to remain in the hospital, which 
was left with a flag of truce. When General Eeidesel saw 
me in the midst of danger, he ordered my women and 
children to be brought into the calash, and intimated to 
me to depart without delay. I still prayed to remain, but 
my hvisband, knowing my weak side, said, 'Well, then, 
your children must go, that at least they may be safe from 
danger.' I then agreed to enter the calash with them, and 
we set off at eight o'clock. 

"The retreat was ordered to be conducted with the 
greatest silence; many fires were lighted, and several tents 
left standing ; we travelled continually during the night. 
At six o'clock in the morning we halted, which excited 
the surprise of all; General Burgoyne had the cannon 
ranged and counted; this delay seemed to displease every 
body, for if we could only have made another good march, 
we should have been in safety. My husband, quite ex- 
hausted with fatigue, came into my calash, and slept for 
three hours. During that time, Captain Willoe brought 
me a bag full of bank notes, and Captain Grismar his 
elegant watch, a ring, and a purse full of money, which 
they requested me to take care of, and which I promised 
to do to the utmost of my power. We again marched, but 
had scarcely proceeded an hour before we halted, as the 
enemy was in sight; it proved to be only a reconnoitering 
party of two hundred men, who might easily have been 
made prisoners, if General Burgoyne had given proper 
orders on the occasion. 

"The Indians had now lost their courage, and were 
departing for their homes ; these people appeared to droop 
much under adversity, and especially when they had no 
prospect of plunder. One of my waiting-women was in 
a state of despair, which approached to madness; she 
cursed and tore her hair, and when I attempted to reason 
with her, and to pacify her, she asked me if I was not 
Cc 



366 APPENDIX. 

grieved at our situation, and on my saying I was, she tore 
her cap off her head and let her hair drop over her face, 
saying to me, *It is very easy for you to be composed and 
talk : you have your husband with you ; I have none ; and 
what remains to me but the prospect of perishing or losing 
all I have!' I again bade her take comfort, and assured 
her I would make good whatever she might happen to 
lose; and I made the same promise to Ellen, my other wait- 
ing-woman, who, though filled with apprehensions, made 
no complaints. 

"About evening we arrived at Saratoga; my dress was 
wet through and through with rain, and in this state I had 
to remain the whole night, having no place to change it; 
I, however, got close to a large fire, and at last lay down 
on some straw. At this moment General Phillips came 
up to me, and I asked him why he had not continued our 
retreat, as my husband had promised to cover it and bring 
the army through? 'Poor, dear woman,' said he, 'I won- 
der how, drenched as you are, you have the courage still 
to persevere and venture further in this kind of weather! 
I wish,' continued he, 'you was our commanding-general; 
General Burgoyne is tired, and, means to halt here to-night 
and give us our supper.' 

"On the morning of the 7th, at ten o'clock. General 
Burgoyne ordered the retreat to be continued, and caused 
the handsome houses and mills of General Schuyler to be 
burned; we marched, however, but a short distance, and 
then halted. The greatest misery at this time prevailed 
in the army, and more than thirty officers came to me, for 
whom tea and coffee was prepared, and with whom I shared 
all my provisions, with which my calash was in general 
well supplied; for I had a cook who was an excellent 
caterer, and who often in the night crossed small rivers 
and foraged on the inhabitants, bringing in with him sheep, 
small pigs, and poultry, for which he very often forgot to 
pay, though he received good pay from me so long as I 
had any, and was ultimately handsomely rewarded. Our 
provisions now failed v;s for want of proper conduct in the 
commissary's department, and I began to despair. About 
two o'clock in the afternoon we again heard a firing of 
cannon and small-arms ; instantly all was alarm, and every 
thing in motion. My husband told me to go to a house 



APPENDIX. 367 

not far off; I immediately seated myself in my calash, 
with my children, and drove off; but scarcely had we 
reached it before I discovered five or six armed men on 
the other side of the Hudson; instinctively I threw my 
children down in the calash, and then concealed myself 
with them ; at this moment the fellows fired and wounded 
an already wounded English soldier, who was behind me. 
Poor fellow ! I pitied him exceedingly, but at this moment 
had no means or power to relieve him. A terrible can- 
nonade was commenced by the enemy, which was directed 
against the house in which I sought to obtain shelter for my- 
self and children, under the mistaken idea that all the gener- 
als were in it. Alas! it contained none but wounded and 
women; we were at last obliged to resort to the cellar for 
refuge, and in one corner of this I remained the whole 
day, my children sleeping on the earth with their heads 
in my lap; and in the same situation I passed a sleepless 
night. — Eleven cannon-balls passed through the house, 
and we could distinctly hear them roll away. One poor 
soldier, who was lying on a table for the purpose of having 
his leg amputated, was struck by a shot, which carried 
away his other; his comrades had left him, and when we 
went to his assistance we found him in a corner of the 
room, into which he had crept, more dead than alive, 
scarcely breathing. My reflections on the danger to 
which my husband was exposed now agonized me ex- 
ceedingly, and the thoughts of my children and the 
necessity of struggling for their preservation alone sus- 
tained me. 

"The ladies of the army who were with me were Mrs. 
Harnage, a Mrs. Kennels, the widow of a lieutenant who 
was killed, and the lady of the commissary. Major Har- 
nage, his wife, and Mrs. Kennels, made a little room in a 
corner with curtains to it, and wished to do the same for 
me, but I preferred being near the door, in case of fire. 
Not far off, my women slept, and opposite to us three Eng- 
lish officers, who, though wounded, were determined not to 
be left behind : one of them was Captain Green, an aid-de- 
camp to Major-General Phillips, a very valuable officer 
and most agreeable man. They each made me a most 
sacred promise not to leave me behind, and in case of sud- 
den retreat, that they would each of them take one of my 



368 APPENDIX. 

children on his horse, and for myself, one of my husband's 
was in constant readiness. 

"Our cook, whom I have before mentioned, procured 
us our meals, but we were in want of water, and I was 
often obliged to drink wine and to give it to my children. 
It was the only thing my husband took, which made our 
faithful Hunter, Eockel, express one day his apprehensions 
that 'the general was weary of his life, or fearful of being 
taken, as he drank so much wine.' The constant danger 
which my husband was in, kept me in a state of wretched- 
ness, and I asked myself if it was possible I should be the 
only happy one, and have my husband spared to me unhurt, 
exposed as he was to so many perils. He never entered 
his tent, but laid down whole nights by the watch-fires; 
this alone was enough to have killed him, the cold was 
so intense. 

"The want of water distressed us much. At length, 
we found a soldier's wife who had courage enough to 
fetch us some from the river, an office nobody else would 
undertake, as the Americans shot at every person who 
approached it; but out of respect for her sex they never 
molested her. 

"I now occupied myself through the day in attending 
the wounded ; I made them tea and coffee, and often shared 
my dinner with them, for which they offered me a thou- 
sand expressions of gratitude. One day a Canadian officer 
came to our cellar, who had scarcely the power of holding 
himself upright, and we concluded he was dying for want s 
of nourishment; I was happy in offering him my dinner, 
which strengthened him and procured me his friendship. 
I now undertook the care of Major Bloomfield, another 
aid-de-camp of General Phillips; he had received a mus- 
ket-ball through both cheeks, which in its course had 
knocked out several of his teeth, and cut his tongue; he 
could hold nothing in his mouth; the matter which ran 
from his wound almost choked him, and he was not able 
to take any nourishment except a little soup, or something 
liquid; we had some Rhenish wine, and in the hope that 
the acidity of it would cleanse his wound, I gave him a 
bottle of it; he took a little now and then, and with such 
effect that his cure soon followed. Thus I added another 
to my stock of friends, and derived a satisfaction which, 



APPENDIX. 369 

in the midst of sufferings, served to tranquillize me and 
diminish their acuteness. 

"One day General Phillips accompanied my husband, 
at the risk of their lives, on a visit to us, who, after having 
Avitnessed our situation, said to him, 'I would not for ten 
thousand guineas come again to this place; my heart is 
almost broken.' 

"In this horrid situation we remained six days; a cessa- 
tion of hostilities was now spoken of, and eventually took 
place; a convention was afterwards agreed on; but one 
day a message was sent to my husband, who had visited 
me and was reposing in my bed, to attend a council of 
war, where it was proposed to break the convention: but, 
to my great joy, the majority were for adhering to it. On 
the i6th, however, my husband had to repair to his post, 
and I to my cellar; this day fresh beef was served out to 
the officers, who till now had only had salt provisions, 
which was very bad for their wounds. The good woman 
who brought us water, made us an excellent soup of the 
meat, but I had lost my appetite, and took nothing but 
crusts of bread dipped in wine. The wounded officers, my 
unfortunate companions, cut off the best bit and presented 
it to me on a plate. I declined eating any thing, but they 
contended that it was necessary for me to take nourishment, 
and declared they would not touch a morsel till I afforded 
tbem the pleasure of seeing me partake. I could no longer 
withstand their pressing invitations, accompanied as they 
were by assurances of the happiness they had in offering 
me the first good thing they had in their power, and I 
partook of a repast rendered palatable by the kindness 
and good-will of my fellow-sufferers, forgetting for the 
moment the misery of our apartment, and the absence of 
almost every comfort. 

"On the 17th of October, the convention was completed. 
General Burgoyne and the other generals waited on the 
American General Gates; the troops laid down their arms, 
and gave themselves up prisoners of war! And now the 
good woman who had supplied us with water at the hazard 
of her life, received the reward of her services; each of 
us threw a handful of money into her apron, and she got 
altogether about twenty guineas. At such a moment as 
this, how susceptible is the heart of feelings of gratitude! 



370 APPENDIX. 

" My husband sent a message to me to come over to him 
with my children. I seated myself once more in my dear 
calash, and then rode through the American camp. As 
I passed on, I observed (and this was a great consolation 
to me) that no one eyed me with looks of resentment, but 
that they all greeted us, and even showed compassion in 
their countenances at the sight of a woman with small 
children. 1 was, I confess, afraid to go over to the enemy, 
as it was quite a new situation to me. When I drew near 
the tents, a handsome man approached and met me, took 
my children from thecalash, and } nigged and kissed the m^ ichich 
affected me almost to tears. 'You tremble,' said he, address- 
ing himself to me ; ' be not afraid.' ' No,' I answered ; ' you 
seem so kind and tender to my children, it inspires me 
with courage.' He now led me to the tent of General 
Gates, where I found Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, 
who were on a friendly footing with the former. Bur- 
goyne said to me, 'Never mind; your sorrows have now 
an end.' I answered him, 'that I should be reprehensible 
to have any cares, as he had none;' and I was pleased to 
see him on such a friendly footing with General Gates. 
All the generals remained to dine with General Gates. 

"The same gentleman who received me so kindly, no>" 
came and said to me, 'You will be very much embarrassed 
to eat with all these gentlemen; come with your children 
to my tent, where I will prepare for you a frugal dinner, 
and give it with a free will.' I said, 'You are certainly a 
husband and a father, you have shown me so much kmd- 
ness.' I now found that he was General Schuyler. He 
treated me with excellent smoked tongue, beef-steaks, 
potatoes, and good bread and butter ! Never could I have 
wished to eat a better dinner; I was content: I saw all 
around me were so likewise; and, what was better than 
all, my husband was out of danger. When we had dined, 
he told me his residence was at Albany, and that General 
Burgoyne intended to honor him as his guest, and invited 
myself and children to do so likewise. I asked my hus- 
band how I should act; he told me to accept the invitation. 
As it was two days' journey there, he advised me to go to 
a place which was about three hours' ride distant. Gen- 
eral Schuyler had the politeness to send with me a French 
officer, a very agreeable man, who commanded the recon- 



APPENDIX. 371 

noitering party, of whicli I have bcJore spoken ; and when 
he had escorted me to the house where I was to remain, 
he turned back again. In the house, I found a French 
surgeon, who had under his care a Brunswick officer, who 
was mortally wounded, and died some few days after- 
wards. The Frenchman boasted much of the care he took 
of his patient, and perhaps was skillful enough as a sur- 
geon, but otherwise was a mere simpleton ; he was rejoiced 
when he found out I could speak his language, and began 
to address many empty and impertinent speeches to me. 
He said, among other things, he could not believe that I 
was a general's wife, as he was certain a woman of such 
rank would not follow her husband ; he wished me to re- 
main with him, as he said it was laetter to be with the 
conquerors than the conquered. I was shocked at his 
impudence, but dared not show the contempt and disdain 
I felt for him, because it would deprive me of a place of 
safety. Towards evening he begged me to take a part of 
his chamber. I told him I was determined to remain in 
the room with the wounded officer; whereon he attempted 
to pay me some stupid compliments. At this moment the 
door opened, and my husband ivith his aid-de-camp entered. 
I then said, 'Here, sir, is my husband,' and at the same 
time eyed him with scorn, whereon he retired abashed; 
nevertheless he was so polite as to offer his chamber to us. 

"Some days after this we arrived at Albany, where we 
so often wished ourselves; but we did not enter it as we 
expected we should — victors ! We were received by the 
good General Schuyler, his wife, and daughters, not as ene- 
mies, but kind friends, and they treated us with the most 
marked attention and politeness, as they did Greneral Bur- 
goyne, who had caused General Schuyler's beautifully 
finished house to be burned. In fact, they behaved like 
persons of exalted minds, who determined to bury all re- 
collection of their oiun injuries in the contemplation of our 
misfortunes. General Burgoyne was struck with General 
Schuyler's generosity, and said to him, 'You show me 
great kindness, though I have done you much injury.' 
'That was the fate of war,' replied the brave man; 'let us 
say no more about it.' " 



372 APPENDIX. 



NOTE III.— See Page 126. 

Mr. Bushnell's squadron of kegs, committea to the 
Delaware in 1777, produced an unprecedented alarm 
among the British fleet at Philadelphia, and the singular 
catastrophe was, by the Hon. Francis Hopkinson, made a 
subject of the following song, which has been, and ever will 
be, celebrated for the brilliancy of its wit and humor: 

THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS, A SONG. . 

Tune — Moggy Laivder. 

Gallants, attend, and hear a friend 

Trill forth harmonious ditty ; 
Strange things I'll tell, which late befell 

In Philadelphia city. 

'Twas early day, as poets say, 

Just when tlie sun was vising, 
A soldier stood on log of wood, 

And saw a sight surprising. 

As in a maze he stood to gaze — 

The truth can't be denied, sir — 
He spied a score of kegs or more 

Come floating down the tide, sir. 

A sailor, too, in jerkin blue, 
r The strange appearance viewing, 

First damii'd his eyes, in great surprise, 
Then said, "Some mischief's brewing: 

"These kegs now hold the rebels bold, 

Pack'd up like pickled herring; 
And tliey're come down t' attack the town 

In this new way of ferrying." 

The soldier flew; the sailor too; 

And scared almost to death, sir, 
Wore out their shoes to spread the news, 

And ran till out of breath, sir. 

Now up and down, throughout the town, 

Most frantic scenes were acted ; 
And some ran here, and some ran there, 

Like men almost distracted. 

Some fire cried, which some denied, 

But said the earth had quaked: 
And girls and boys, with hideous noise, 

Ran through tiie town half-naked. 



APPENDIX. 373 

Sir William* he, snug as a flea, 

Lay all this time a snoring; 
Nor dreamt of harm, as he lay warm 

In bed with Mrs. L ng.f 

Now in a fright he starts upright, 

Awaked by such a clatter ; 
He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, 

"For God's sake, what's the matter?" 

At his bed-side he then espied 

Sir ErskineJ at command, sir; 
Upon one foot he had one boot, 

And t'other in his hand, sir. 

"Arise! arise!" Sir Erskine cries; 

"The rebels — more's the pity — 
Without a boat, are all on float. 

And ranged before the city. 

The motley crew, in vessels new. 

With Satan for their guide, sir, 
Pack'd up in bags, or wooden kegs, 

Come driving down the tide, sir: 

Therefore prepare for bloody war; 

These kegs must all be routed. 
Or surely we despised shall be. 

And British courage doubted." 

The royal band now ready stand. 

All arranged in dread array, sir. 
With stomachs stout, to see it out, 

And make a bloody day, sir. 

The cannons roar from shore to shore, 

The small arms make a rattle : 
Since wars began, I'm sure no man 

E'er saw so strange a battle. 

The rebel vales, the rebel dales, 

With rebel trees surrounded. 
The distant woods, the hills and floods, 

With rebel echoes sounded. 

* Sir William Howe. 

f The wife of Joshua Loring, a refugee from Boston, made commis- 
sary of prisoners by General Howe. "The consummate cruelties prac- 
tised on the American prisoners under his administration, almost exceed 
the ordinary powers of human invention. The conduct of the Turks 
in putting all prisoners to death, is certainly much more rational and 
humane, than that of the British army for the first three years of the 
American war, or till after the capture of Burgoyne." 

I Sir William Erskine. 



374 APPENDIX. 

The fish below 3wam to and fro, 

Attack'd from every quarter; 
"Why sure," thought they, "the devil's to pay 

"'Mongst folks above the water." 

The kegs, 'tis said, though strongly made 
Of rebel staves and hoops, sir. 

Could not oppose their pow'rful foes. 
The conqu'ring British troops, sir. 

From morn to night these men of might 

Display'd amazing courage: 
And when the sun was fairly down, 

Retired to sup their porridge. 

A hundred men, with each a pen. 
Or more, upon my word, sir, 

It is most true, would be too few 
Their valor to record, sir. 

Such feats did they perform that day, 
Upon these wicked kegs, sir. 

That years to come, if they get home, 
They'll make their boasts and brags, sir. 



NOTE IV.— -See Page 259. 



The following is an abstract of an interesting narrative 
taken from the travels of the late Dr. Dwight: 

After the fiilure of the expedition against the British 
garrison at Penobscot, General Peleg Wadsworth was ap- 
pointed in the spring of 1780 to the command of a party 
of state troops in Camden, in the District of Maine. At 
the expiration of the period for which the troops were 
engaged, in February following, General Wadsworth dis- 
missed his troops, retaining six soldiers only as his guard, 
and he was making preparations to depart from the place. 
A neighboring inhabitant communicated his situation to 
the British commander at Penobscot, and a party of twenty- 
five soldiers, commanded by Lieutenant Stockton, was sent 
to make him a prisoner. They embarked in a small 
schooner, and landing within four miles of the general's 
quarters, they were concealed at the house of one Snow, 
a methodist preacher, professedly a friend to him, but 
really a traitor, till eleven o'clock in the evening, where 
they made their arrangements for the attack on the gen- 



APPENDIX. g75 

eral's quarters. The party rushed suddenly on the senti- 
nel, who gave the alarm, and one of his comrades instantly 
opened the door of the kitchen, and the enemy were so near 
as to enter with the sentinel. The lady of the general, and 
her friend Miss Fenno, of Boston, were in the house at the 
time, and Mrs. Wadsworth escaped from the room' of her 
husband into that of Miss Fenno. The assailants soon 
became masters of the whole house, except the room where 
the general was, and which was strongly barred, and they 
kept up a constant firing of musketry into the windows 
and doors, except into those of the ladies' room. General 
Wadsworth was provided with a pair of pistols, a blunder- 
buss and a fusee, which he employed with great dexterity, 
being determined to defend himself to the last moment. 
With his pistols, which he discharged several times, he 
defended the windows of his room and a door which opened 
into the kitchen. His blunderbuss he snapped several 
times, but unfortunately it missed fire. He then seized 
his fusee, which he discharged on some who were breaking 
through one of the windows, and obliged them to flee. 
He next defended himself with his bayonet, till he received 
a ball through his left arm, when he surrendered, which 
terminated the contest. The firing, however, did not cease 
from the kitchen till the general unbarred the door, when 
the soldiers rushed into the room, and one of them who 
had been badly wounded, pointing a musket at his breast, 
exclaime'd, with an oath, " You have taken my life, and I 
will take yours." But Lieutenant Stockton turned the 
musket, and saved his life. The commanding officer now 
applauded the general for his admirable defence, and assist- 
ed in putting on his clothes, saying, "You see we are in a 
critical situation : you must excuse haste." Mrs. Wadsworth 
threw a blanket over him, and Miss Fenno applied a hand- 
kerchief closely round his wounded arm. In this condition, 
though much exhausted, he, with a wounded American 
soldier, was directed to march on foot, while two British 
wounded soldiers were mounted on a horse taken from the 
general's barn. They departed in great haste. When they 
had proceeded about a mile, they met, at a small house, a 
number of people who had collected, and who inquired 
if they had taken General Wadsworth. They said no, 
and added, that they must leave a wounded man in their 



376 APPENDIX. 

care, and if they paid proper attention to him they should 
be compensated, but if not, they would burn down theii 
house ; but the man appeared to be dying. General Wads 
worth was now mounted on the horse behind the othei 
wounded soldier, and was warned that his safety depended 
on his silence. Having crossed over a frozen mill-pond, 
about a mile in length, they were met by some of their 
party who had been left behind. At this place they found 
the British privateer which brought the party from the 
fort. The captain, on being told that he must return there 
with the prisoner and the party, and seeing some of his 
men wounded, became outrageous, and damned the general 
for a rebel, demanded how he dared to fire on the king's 
troops, and ordered him to help launch the boat, or he 
would put his hanger through his body. The general re- 
plied that he was a prisoner, and badly wounded, and 
could not assist in launching the boat. Lieutenant Stock- 
ton, on learning of this abusive treatment, in a manner 
honorable to himself, told the captain that the prisoner was 
a gentleman, had made a brave defence, and was to be 
treated accordingly; and added, that his conduct should 
be represented to General Campbell. After this, the cap- 
tain treated the prisoner with great civility, and afforded 
him every comfort in his power. General Wadsworth 
had left the ladies in the house, not a window of which 
escaped destruction. The doors were broken down, and 
two of the rooms were set on fire; the floors covered with 
blood, and on one of them lay a brave old soldier, dan- 
gerously wounded, begging for death, that he might be 
released from misery. The anxiety and distress of Mrs. 
Wadsworth was inexpressible, and that of the general was 
greatly increased by the uncertainty in his mind respect- 
ing the fate of his little son, only five years old, who had 
been exposed to every danger by the firing into the house, 
but he had the happiness afterwards to hear of his safety. 
Having arrived at the British post, the capture of General 
Wadsworth was soon announced, and the shore thronged 
with spectators, to see the man who, through the preceding 
year, had disappointed all the designs of the British in that 
quarter; and loud shouts were heard from the rabble 
which covered the shore; but when he arrived at the fort, 
and was conducted into the officers' guard-room, he was 



APPENDIX. 377 

treated with politeness. General Campbell, the command- 
ant of the British garrison, sent his compliments to him 
and a surgeon to dress his wounds, assuring him that his 
situation should be made comfortable. The next morning, 
General Campbell invited him to breakfast, and at table 
paid him many compliments on the defence he had made, 
observing, however, that he had exposed himself in a de- 
gree not perfectly justifiable. General Wadsworth replied 
that, from the manner of the attack, he had no reason to 
suspect any design of taking him alive, and that he in- 
tended therefore to sell his life as dearly as possible. 
"But, sir," said General Campbell, "I understand that the 
captain of the privateer treated you very ill; I shall see 
that matter set right." He then informed the prisoner 
that' a room in the officers' barracks within the fort was 
prepared for him, and that he should send his orderlj^-ser- 
geant daily to attend him to breakfast and dinner at his 
table. Having retired to his solitary apartment, and while 
his spirits were extremely depressed by a recollection of 
the past, and by his present situation, he received from 
General Campbell several books of amusement, and soon 
after a visit from him, kindly endeavoring to cheer the 
spirits •of his prisoner by conversation. Not long after, 
the officers of the party calkd, and among others the re- 
doubtable captain of the privateer, who called to ask pardon 
for what had fallen fr-om him when in a passion; adding, 
that it was not in his nature to treat a gentleman prisoner 
ill ; that the unexpected disappointment of his ciuise had 
thrown him off his guard, and he hoped that this would 
be deemed a sufficient apology. This General Wadsworth 
accepted. At the hour of dining he was invited to the 
table of the commandant, where he met with all the prin- 
cipal officers of the garrison, and from whom he received 
particular attention and politeness. General Wadsworth 
soon made application to the commandant for a flag of 
truce, by which means he could transmit a letter to the 
governor of Massachusetts, and another to Airs. Wads- 
worth. This was granted, on the condition that the letter 
to the governor should be inspected. The flag was in- 
trusted to Lieutenant Stockton, and on his return, the 
general was relieved from all anxiety respecting his wife 
and family. General Campbell and the officers of thp 



378 APPENDIX. 

garrison continued their civilities for some time, and en- 
deavored by books and personal visits to render his situa- 
tion as pleasant as circumstances would admit of. At the 
end of five weeks, his wound being nearly healed, he re- 
quested of General Campbell the customary privilege of 
a parole, and received, in repl}^ that his case had been 
reported to the commanding officer at New York, and 
that no alteration could be made till orders were received 
from that quarter. In about two months, Mrs. Wadsworth 
and Miss Fenno arrived, and General Campbell and some 
of the officers contributed to render their visit agreeable 
to all concerned. About the same time, orders were re- 
ceived from the commanding general at New York, which 
were concealed from General Wadsworth, but Re finally 
learned that he was not to be paroled nor exchanged, but 
was to be sent to England as a rebel of too much conse- 
quence to be at liberty. Not long afterwards Major 
Benjamin Burton, a brave and worthy man, who had 
served under General Wadsworth the preceding summer, 
was taken and brought into the fort, and lodged in the 
same room with General Wadsworth. He had been in- 
formed that both himself and the General were to be sent, 
immediately after the return of a privateer now out on a 
cruise, either to New York or Halifax, and thence to 
England. The prisoners immediately resolved to make a 
desperate attempt to effect their escape. They were con- 
fined in a grated room in the officers' barracks within the 
fort. The walls of this fortress, exclusively of the depth 
of the ditch surrounding it, were twenty feet high, with 
fraising on the top, and chevaux de frise at the bottom. 
Two sentinels were always in the entry, and their door, 
the upper part of which was of glass, might be opened by 
these watchmen whenever they thought proper, and was 
actually opened at seasons of peculiar darkness and silence. 
At the exterior doors of the entries, sentinels were also 
stationed, as were others in the body of the fort, and at 
the quarters of General Campbell. At the guard-house, a 
strong guard was daily mounted. Several sentinels were 
stationed on the walls of the fort, and a complete line 
occupied them by night. Without the ditch, glacis and 
abatis, another complete set of soldiers patroled through 
the night also. The gate of the fort was shut at sun-set, 



APPENDIX. 379 

and a piquet-guard was placed on or near the isthmus 
leading from the fort to the main land. 

The room in which they were confined was railed with 
boards. One of these they determined to cut off, so as to 
make a hole large enough to pass through, and then to 
creep along till they should come to the next or middle 
entry; and then lower themselves down into this entry 
by a blanket. If they should not be discovered, the pass- 
age to the walls of the fort was easy. In the evening, 
after the sentinels had seen the prisoners retire to bed. 
General Wadsworth got up, and, standing in a chair, at- 
tempted to cut with his knife the intended opening, but 
soon found it impracticable. The next day, by giving a 
soldier a dollar, they procured a gimblet. With this in- 
strument they proceeded cautiously and as silently as 
possible to perforate the board, and in order to conceal 
every appearance from their servants and from the officers 
their visitors, they carefully covered the gimblet-holes with 
chewed bread. At the end of three weeks their labors 
were so far completed that it only remained to cut with a 
knife the parts which were left to hold the piece in its 
place. When their preparations were finished, they learned 
that the privateer in which they were to embark was daily 
expected. In the evening of the 18th of June, a very 
severe storm of rain, with great darkness and almost in- 
cessant lightning came on. This the prisoners considered 
as the propitious moment. Having extinguished their 
lights, they began to cut the corners of the board, and in 
less than an hour the intended opening was completed. 
The noise which the operation occasioned was drowned by 
the rain falling on the roof Major Burton first ascended 
to the ceiling, and pressed himself through the opening. 
General Wadsworth next, having put the corner of his 
blanket through the hole, and made it fast by a strong 
wooden skewer, attempted to make his way through, 
standing on a chair below, but it was with extreme difficulty 
that he at length effected it, and reached the middle entry. 
From this he passed through the door, which he found 
open, and made his way to the wall of the fort, and had 
to encounter the greatest difficulty before he could ascend 
to the top. He had now to creep along the top of the fort 
between the sentry boxes at the very moment when, the 
Dd 



380 APPENDIX. 

relief was shifting sentinels, but the falling of heavy rain 
kept the sentinels within their boxes, and favored his 
escape. Having now fastened his blanket round a picket 
at the top, he let himself down through the chevaux de 
frise to the ground, and in a manner astonishing to him- 
self made his way into the open field. Here he was obliged 
to grope his way among rocks, stumps and brush in the 
darkness of night, till he reached the cove; happily the 
tide had ebbed, and enabled him to cross the water, about 
a mile in breadth and not more than three feet deep. 
About two o'clock in the morning General Wadsworth 
found himself a mile and a half from the fort, and he pro- 
ceeded through a thick wood and brush to the Penobscot 
river, and after passing some distance along the shore, 
being seven miles from the fort, to his unspeakable joy he 
saw his friend Burton advancing towards him. Major 
Burton had been obliged to encounter in his course equal 
difiiculties with his companion, and such were the incredi- 
ble perils, dangers and obstructions which they surmounted, 
that their escape may be considered almost miraculous. 
It was now necessary they should cross the Penobscot 
river, and very fortunately they discovered a canoe with 
oars on the shore suited to their purpose. While on the 
river they discovered a barge with a party of British "fi-om 
the fort in pursuit of them, but by taking an oblique 
course, and plying their oars to the utmost, they happily 
eluded the eyes of their pursuers, and arrived safe on the 
western shore. After having wandered in the wilderness 
for several days and nights, exposed to -extreme fatigue 
and cold, and with no other food than a little dry bread 
and meat, which they brought in their pockets from the 
fort, they reached the settlements on the river St. George, 
and no further difiiculties attended their return to their 
respective families. 



NOTE V. 

There is a particular transaction in the history of our 
revolutionary war, which was known only to General 
Washington and a single confidential officer, the gallant 
Major Lee, commander of a corps of cavalry. As the 



APPENDIX. 381 

Story is particularly interesting, and as it has never been 
disclosed to the public b}' any historian, except by Major 
Lee in his valuable memoirs, I cannot resist the tempta- 
tion of enriching this work with the narration, in the 
words of the respectable author. 

" Lately, John Champe, sergeant-major of the legion of 
cavalry, who had been for several months considered by 
the corps a deserter, returned. This high-minded soldier 
had been selected to undertake a very difficult and peril- 
ous project, the narration of which is due to his merit, as 
well as to the singularity of his progress. 

"The treason of General Arnold, the capture of Andre, 
with intelligence received by Washington, through his 
confidential agents in New York; communicating that 
many of his officers, and especially a major-general named 
to him, were connected with Arnold, could not fail to 
seize the attention of a commander even less diligent and 
zealous. It engaged his mind entirely, exciting sensations 
the most anxious, as well as unpleasant. The moment he 
reached the army, then under the orders of Major-General 
Greene, encamped in the vicinity of Tappan, he sent for 
Major Lee, posted with the light troops some distance in 
front. This officer repaired to head-quarters with celerity, 
and found the general in his marquee alone, busily en- 
gaged in writing. So soon as Lee entered, he was requested 
to take a seat, and a bundle of papers, lying on the table, 
was given him for perusal. In these much information 
was detailed, tending to prove that Arnold was not alone 
in the base conspiracy just detected, but that the poison 
had spread; and that a major-general, whose name was not 
concealed, was certainly as guilty as Arnold himself. 
This officer had enjoyed, without interruption, the confi- 
dence of the commander-in-chief throughout the war; nor 
did there exist a single reason in support of the accusation. 
It altogether rested on the intelligence derived from the 
papers before him. Major Lee, personally acquainted with 
the accused, could not refrain from suggesting the proba- 
bility, that the whole was a contrivance of Sir Henry 
Clinton, in order to destroy that confidence between the 
commander and his officers, on which the success of mili- 
tary operations depend. This suggestion, Washington 
replied, was plausible, and deserved due consideration. 



382 APPENDIX. 

It had early occurred to his own mind, and had not been 
slightly regarded; but his reflections settled in a conclu- 
sion not to be shaken, as the same suggestion applied to 
no officer more forcibly than a few days ago it would have 
done to General Arnold, known now to be a traitor. 

"Announcing this result of his meditations with the 
tone and countenance of a mind deeply agitated, and re- 
solved on its course, Lee continued silent, when the general 
proceeded: 'I have sent for you, in the expectation that 
you have in your corps individuals capable and willing to 
undertake an indispensable, delicate, and hazardous pro- 
ject. Whoever comes forward on this occasion, will lay 
me under great obligations personally; and in behalf of 
the United States, I will reward him amply. No time is 
to be lost; he must proceed, if possible, this night. My 
object is to probe to the bottom the afflicting intelligence 
contained in the papers you have just read, to seize Arnold, 
and by getting him, to save Andre. They are all con- 
nected. While my emissary is engaged in preparing means 
for the seizure of Arnold, the guilt of others can be traced ; 
and the timely delivery of Arnold to me, will possibly put 
it into my power to restore the amiable and unfortunate 
Andre to his friends. My instructions are ready, in which 
you will find my express orders that Arnold is not to be 
hurt; but that he be permitted to escape, if to be pre- 
vented only by killing him, as his public punishment is 
the only object in view. This you cannot too forcibly 
press on whoever may engage in the enterprise; and this 
fail not to do. With my instructions are two letters, to 
be delivered as ordered, and here are some guineas for 
expenses.' 

•'Major Lee, replying, said, that he had little or no 
doubt but that his legion contained many individuals 
daring enough for any operation, however perilous; but 
that the one in view required a combination of qualities 
not easily to be found, unless in a commissioned officer, to 
whom he could not venture to propose an enterprise, the 
first step to which was desertion; that though the sergeant- 
major of the cavalry was in all respects qualified for the 
delicate and adventurous project, and to him it might be 
proposed without indelicacy, as his station did not inter- 
pose the obstacle before stated ; yet it was very probable 



APPENDIX. 883 

that the same difficulty would occur in his breast, to re- 
move which would not be easy, if practicable. 

"Washington was highly pleased with finding that a 
non-commissioned officer was deemed capable of executing 
his views; as he had felt exk-eme difficulty in authorizing 
an invitation to officers, who generally are, and always 
ought to be, scrupulous and nice in adhering to the course 
of honor. He asked the name, the country, the age, the 
size, length of service, and character of the sergeant. 

"Being told his name — that he was a native of Loudon 
county in Virginia; about twenty-four years of age — that 
he had enlisted in 1776 — rather above the common size, 
full of bone and muscle, with a saturnine countenance, 
grave, thoughtful and taciturn — of tried courage and inflex- 
ible perseverance, and as likely to reject an overture coup- 
led with ignominy as any officer in the corps; a commission 
being the goal of his long and anxious exertions, and cer- 
tain on the first vacancy. 

"The general exclaimed that he was the very man for 
the business; that he must undertake it; and that going 
to the enemy by the instigation and at the request of his 
officer was not desertion, though it appeared to be so; and 
he enjoined that this explanation, as coming from him, 
should be pressed on Champe; and that the vast good in 
prospect should be contrasted with the mere semblance of 
doing wrong, which he presumed could not fail to conquer 
every scruple. Major Lee assured the general that every 
exertion would be assayed on his part to execute his 
wishes; and, taking leave, returned to the camp of the 
light corps, which he reached about eight o'clock at night. 
Sending instantly for the sergeant-major, he introduced 
the business in the way best calculated, as he thought, to 
produce his concurrence; and dilated largely on the very 
great obligations he would confer on the commander-in- 
chief, whose unchanging and active beneficence to the 
troops had justly drawn to him their aftectiou, which 
would be merely nominal, if, when an opportunity should 
offer to any individual of contributing to the promotion 
of his views, that opportunity was not zealously embraced. 
That the one now presented to him had never before oc- 
curred, and in all probability would never occur again, 
even should the war continue for ages; it being most rare 



384 APPENDIX. 

for these distinct consequences, all of primary weight, 
to be comprised within a single operation, and that opera- 
tion necessarily to be intrusted to one man, who would 
want but one or two associates in the active parts of its 
execution. That the chance of detection became extremely 
narrow, and consequently that of success enlarged. That 
by succeeding in the safe delivery of Arnold, he not only 
gratified his general in the most acceptable manner, but 
he would be hailed as the avenger of the reputation of 
the army, stained by foul and wicked perfidy; and, what 
could not but be highly pleasing, he would be the instru- 
ment of saving the life of Major Andre, soon to be brought 
before a court of inquiry, the decision of which could not be 
doubted, from the universally known circumstances of the 
case, and had been anticipated in the general's instructions. 
That by investigating with diligence and accurac}' the 
intelligence communicated to him, he would bring to light 
new guilt, or he would relieve innocence, as was most 
probable, from distrust; quieting the torturing suspicions 
which now harrowed the mind of Washington, and restor- 
ing again to his confidence a once-honored general, pos- 
sessing it at present only ostensibly, as well as hush doubts 
affecting many of his brother-soldiers. 

"In short, the accomplishment of so much good was in 
itself too attractive to be renounced by a generous mind; 
and when connected with the recollection of the high 
honor which the selection shed on him as a soldier, he 
ought not — he must not pause. The discourse was fol- 
lowed by a detail of the plan, with a wish that he would 
enter on its execution instantly. Champe listened with 
deep attention, and with a highly-excited countenance; 
the perturbations of his breast not being hid even by his 
dark visage. He briefly and modestly replied, that no 
soldier exceeded him in respect and affection for the com- 
mander-in-chief, to serve whom he would willingly lay 
down his life; and that he was sensible of the honor con- 
ferred by the choice of him for the execution of a project 
all over arduous; nor could he be at a loss to know to 
whom was to be ascribed the preference bestowed, which 
he took pleasure in acknowledging, though increasing 
obligations before great and many. That he was charmed 
with the plan. Even its partial success would lead to great 



APPENDIX. 385 

good; as it would give peace to the general's mind, and 
do justice, as lie hoped, to innocence. Full success, added 
powerful and delicious personal incitements, as well as the 
gratification of the general and army. He was not, he 
said, deterred bj the danger'and difficulty which was evi- 
dently to be encountered, but he was deterred by the ig- 
nominy of desertion, to be followed by the hypocrisy of 
enlisting with the enemy; neither of which comported 
Avith his feelings, and either placed an insuperable bar in 
his way to promotion. He concluded by observing, if any 
mode could be contrived free from disgrace, he 'would 
coidially embark in the enterprise. As it was, he prayed 
to be excused; and hoped that services, always the best 
in his power to perform, faithfully executed, did entitle 
his prayer to success. 

"The objections at first apprehended, now to be com- 
bated, were extended to a consequence which had not 
suggested itself. Lee candidly admitted that he had ex- 
pected the first objection made, and that only; which had 
been imparted to the general, who gave to it full considera- 
tion, and concluded by declaring that the crime of desertion 
was not incurred; as no act done by the soldier at the 
request of the commander-in-chief could be considered as 
desertion, and that an action so manifestly praiseworthy 
as that to be performed, when known, would dissipate by 
its own force the reflections excited by appearances, which 
no doubt would be acrimonious, leaving the actor in full 
enjoyment of the future rich rewards of his virtue. That 
the reflecting mind ought not to balance between the 
achievement of so much good, and the doing wrong in 
semblance only ; to which Major Lee subjoined, that when 
in consequence of the general's call on him for a soldier 
capable and willing to execute a project so tempting to 
the brave, he considered himself and corps highly honored ; 
and that he should consider himself reduced to a mortifying 
condition, if the resistance to the undertaking compelled 
him to inform the general that he must recur to some other 
corps to provide an agent to execute this necessary and 
bold enterprise. He entreated the sergeant to ask himself 
what must be the sensations of his comrades, if a soldier 
from some other corps should execute the enterprise, when 
they should be told that the glory transferred to the regi- 



386 APPENDIX. 

ment of which he was one, might have been enjoyed by 
the legion, had not Sergeant Champe shrunk from the 
overture made to him by his general, rather than reject 
scruples too narrow and confined to be permitted to inter- 
fere with grand and virtuous deeds. 

"The esprit du corps could not be resisted, and, united 
to his inclination, it subdued his prejudices, and he declared 
his willingness to conform to the wishes of the general; 
relying, as he confidently did, that his reputation would 
be protected by those who had induced him to undertake 
the enterprise, should he be unfortunate in the attempt. 

"The instructions were read to him, and every distinct 
object presented plainly to his view, of which he took 
notes so disguised as to be understood only by himself 
He was particularly cautioned to use the utmost circum- 
spection in deliveriug his letters, and to take care to with- 
hold from the two individuals, addressed under feigned 
names, knowledge of each other; for though both had 
long been in the confidence of the general, yet it was not 
known by one that the other was so engaged. He was 
further urged to bear in constant recollection the solemn 
injunction so pointedly expressed in the instructions to 
Major Lee, of forbearing to kill Arnold in any condition 
of things. 

"This part of the business being finished, the major's 
and sergeant's deliberations were turned to the manner 
of the latter's desertion; for it was well known to both 
that to pass the numerous patroles of horse and foot cross- 
ing from the stationar}'' guards, was itself difficult, which 
was now rendered more so by parties thrown occasionally 
beyond the place called Liberty-pole, as well as by swarms 
of irregulars, induced sometimes to venture down to the 
very point of Paulus' Hook with the hope of picking up 
booty. Evidently discernible as were the difficulties in 
the way, no relief could be administered by Major Lee, 
lest it might induce a belief that he was privy to the 
desertion, which opinion getting to the enemy would in- 
volve the life of Champe. The sergeant was left to his 
own resources and to his own management, with the de- 
clared determination that in case his departure should be 
discovered, before morning, Lee would take care to delay 
pursuit as long as was practicable. 



APPENDIX. 337 

"Giving to the sergeant three guineas, and presenting 
his best wishes, he recommended him to start without de- 
lay, and enjoined him to communicate his arrival in New 
York as soon thereafter as might be practicable. Champe, 
pulling out his watch, compared it with the major's, remind- 
ing the latter of the importance of holding back pursuit, 
which he was convinced would take place in the course 
of the night, and which might be fatal, as he knew that he 
should be obliged to zigzag in order to avoid the patroles, 
which would consume time. It was now nearly eleven. 
The sergeant returned to camp, and taking his cloak, valise 
and orderly-book, lie drew his horse from the picket, and, 
mounting him, put himself on fortune. Lee, charmed with 
his expeditious consummation of the first part of the enter- 
prise, retired to rest. Useless attempt ! the past scene could 
not be obliterated; and, indeed, had that been practicable, 
the interruj)tion which ensued would have stopped repose. 

" Within half an hour Captain Games, officer of the day, 
waited on the major, and with considerable emotion told 
him that one of the patrole had fallen in with a dragoon, 
who, being challenged, put spur to his horse, and escaped, 
though instantly pursued. Lee, complaining of the inter- 
ruption, and pretending to be extremely fatigued bv his 
ride to and from head-quarters, answered as if he did not 
understand what had been said, which compelled the cap- 
tain to repeat it. 'Who can the fellow that was pursued 
be?' inquired the major; adding, 'acountryman, probably.' 
'No,' replied the captain; 'the patrole sufliciently distin- 
guished him to know that he was a dragoon; probably 
one from the army, if not certainly one of our own.' This 
idea was ridiculed from its improbability, as, during the 
whole war, but a single dragoon had deserted from the 
legion. This did not convince Carnes, so much stress was 
it now the fashion to lay on the desertion of Arnold, and 
the probable effect of his example. The captain withdrew 
to examine the squadron of horse, whom' he had ordered 
to assemble in pursuance of established usage on similar 
occasions. Very quickly he returned, stating that the 
scoundrel was known, and was no less a person than the 
sergeant-major, who was gone off with his horse, baggage, 
arms and orderly-book — so presumed, as neither the one 
nor the other could be found. Sensibly affected at the 



3g3 APPENDIX. 

supposed paseness of a soldier extremely respected, the 
captain added that he had ordered a party to make ready 
for pursuit, and begged the major's written orders. 

"Occasionally this discourse was interrupted, and every 
idea suggested which the excellent character of the ser- 
geant warranted, to induce the suspicion that he had not 
deserted, but had taken the liberty to leave camp with a 
view to personal pleasure; an example, said Lee, too often 
set by the officers themselves, destructive as it was of dis- 
cipline, opposed as it was to orders, and disastrous as it 
might prove to the corps in the course of service. 

"Some little delay was thus interposed; but it being now 
announced that the pursuing party was ready, Major Lee 
directed a change in the officer, saying that he had a par- 
ticular service in view, which he had determined to intrust 
to the lieutenant ready for duty, and which probably must 
be performed in the morning. He therefore directed him 
to summon Cornet Middleton for the present command. 
Lee was induced thus to act, first to add to the delay, and 
next from his knowledge of the tenderness of Middleton's 
disposition, which he hoped would lead to the protection 
of Champe, should he be taken. Within ten minutes 
Middleton appeared to receive his orders, which were 
delivered to him, made out in the customary form, and 
sio-ned by the major. ' Pursue so far as you can with safety 
Sergeant Champe, who is suspected of deserting to the 
enemy, and has taken the road leading to Paulus' Hook. 
Bring him alive, that he may sufter in the presence of the 
army ; but kill him if he resists, or escapes after being taken.' 
"Detaining the cornet a few minutes longer in advising 
him what course to pursue — urging him to take care of 
the horse and accoutrements, if recovered — and enjoining 
him to be on his guard, lest he might, by his eager pur- 
suit, improvidently fall into the hands of the enemy — the 
major dismissed Middleton, wishing him success. A shower 
of rain fell soon after Champe's departure, which enabled 
the pursuing dragoons to take the trail of his horse; know- 
inof, as officer and trooper did, the make of their shoes, 
whose impression was an unerring guide.* 

* The horses being all shod by our own fiirriers, the shoes were made 
in the samefoim; which, with a private mark annexed to the fore shoes, 
and known to the troopers, pointed out the trail of our dragoons to 
each other, whicii was often very useful. 



APPENDIX. 389 

"When Middleton departed, it was a few minutes past 
twelve, so that Champe had only the start of rather more 
than an hour — by no means so long as was desired. Lee 
became very unhappy, not only because the estimable and 
gallant Champe might be injured, but lest the enterprise 
might be delayed; and he spent a sleepless night. The 
pursuing party during the night was, on their part, delayed 
by the necessary halts to examine occasionally the road, as 
the impression of the horse's shoes directed their course; 
this was unfortunately too evident, no other horse having 
pnssed along the road since the shower. When the day 
broke, Middleton was no longer forced to halt, and he 
passed on with rapidity. Ascending an eminence before he 
reached the Three Pigeons, some miles on the north of the 
village of Bergen, as the pursuing party reached its sum- 
mit, Champe was descried not more than half a mile in 
front. Kesembling an Indian in his vigilance, the sergeant 
at the same moment discovered the party, to whose object 
he was no stranger, and, giving spur to his horse, he deter- 
mined to outstrip his pursuers. Middleton at the same 
instnnt put his horses to the top of their speed; and being, 
as the legion all were, well acquainted with the country, 
he recollected a short route through the woods to the 
bridge below Bergen, which diverged from the great road 
just after you gain the Three Pigeons. Reaching the point 
of separation, he halted, and dividing his party, directed 
a sergeant with a few dragoons to take the near cut, and 
possess with all possible despatch the bridge, while he^with 
the residue, followed Champe; not doubting but that 
Champe must deliver himself up, as he would be inclosed 
between himself and his sergeant. Champe did not forget 
the short cut, and would have taken it himself, but he 
knew it was the usual route of our parties when returning 
in the day from the neighborhood of the enemy, properly 
preferring the woods to the road. He consequently 
avoided it; and, persuaded that Middleton would avail 
himself of it, wisely resolved to relinquish his intention 
of getting to Paulus' Hook, and to seek refuge from two 
British galleys, lying a few miles to the west of Bergen. 
"This was a station always occupied by one or two gal- 
leys, and which it was known now lay there. Entering 
the village or Bergen, Champe turned to his right, and 



890 



APrEXDlX. 



disguising Lis change of course as much as he could by 
taking the beaten streets, turning as they turned, he passed 
through the vilhage, and took the road towards Elizabeth 
town Point. Middleton's sergeant gained the bridge, where 
he concealed himself, ready to pounce on Champe, when 
he came up; and Middleton, pursuing his course through 
Bergen, soon got also to the bridge, when, to his extreme 
mortification, he found that the sergeant had slipped 
through his fingers. Returning up the road, he inquired 
of the villagers of Bergen whether a dragoon had been 
seen that morning preceding his party. lie was answered 
in the affirmative, but could learn nothing satisfactory as 
to the route he had taken. While engaged in inquiries 
himself, he spread his party through the village to strike 
the trail of Charnpe's horse, a resort always recurred to. 
Some of his dragoons hit it, just as the sergeant, leaving 
the village, got in the road to the point. Pursuit was re- 
newed with vigor, and again Champe was descried. He, 
apprehending the event, had prepared himself for it, by 
lashing his valise, containing his clothes and orderly-book, 
on his shoulders, and holding his drawn sword in his hand, 
having thrown away its scabbard. This he did to save 
what was indispensable to him, and to prevent any inter- 
ruption to his swimming from the scabbard, should Mid- 
dleton, as he presumed, when disappointed at the bridge, 
take the measures adopted by him. The pursuit was rapid 
and close, as the stop occasioned by the sergeant's prepar- 
ations for swimming had brought Middleton within two 
or three hundred yards. As soon as Champe got abreast 
of the galleys, he dismounted, and running through the 
marsh to the river, plunged into it, calling on the galleys 
for help. This was readily given ; they fired on our horse, 
and sent a boat to meet Champe, who was taken in and 
carried on board, and conveyed to New York with a letter 
from the captain of the galley, stating the past scene, all 
of which he had seen. 

"The horse with his equipments, the sergeant's cloak 
and sword scabbard, were recovered ; the sword itself, 
being held by Champe till he plunged into the river, was 
lost, as Middleton found it necessary to retire without 
searching for it. 

"About three o'clock in thQ,evening our party returned; 



APPE^'Dlx 391 

and the soldiers, seeing the horse, well known to them, in 
our possession, made the air resound with exclamations 
that the scoundrel was killed. 

• "Major Lee, called by this heart-rending annunciation 
from his tent, saw the sergeant's horse led by one of Mid- 
dleton's dragoons, and began to reproach himself with the 
blood of the highly-prized, faithful, and intrepid Champe. 
Stifling his agony, he advanced to meet Middleton, and 
became somewhat relieved as soon as he got near enough 
to discern the countenance of his officer and party. There 
was evidence in their looks of disappointment, and he was 
quickly relieved by Middleton's information that the ser- 
geant had effected his escape with the loss of his horse, 
and narrated the particulars just recited. 

"Lee's joy was now as full as, the moment before, his 
torture had been excruciating. Never was a happier con- 
clusion. The sergeant escaped unhurt, carrying with him 
to the enemy undeniable testimony of the sincerity of his 
desertion — cancelling every apprehension before enter- 
tained, lest the enemy might suspect him of being what 
he really was. 

"Major Lee imparted to the commander-in-chief the oc- 
currence, who was sensibly affected by the hair-breadth 
escape of Champe, and anticipated with pleasure the good 
effect sure to follow the enemy's knowledge of its manner. 

"On the fourth day after Champe's departure, Lee re- 
ceived a letter from him, written the day before in a dis- 
guised hand, without any signature, and stating what had 
jiassed, after he got on board the galley, where he was 
kindly received. 

"He was carried to the commandant of Noy York as 
soon as he arrived, and presented the letter addressed to 
this ofl&cer from the captain of the galley. Being asked to 
what corps he belonged, and a few other common ques- 
tions, he was sent under care of an orderly-sergeant, to 
the adjutant-general, who, finding that he was sergeant- 
mnjor of the legion of horse, heretofore remarkable for 
their fidelity, he began to interrogate him. He was told 
by Champe that such was the spirit of defection which 
prevailed among the American troops, in consequence of 
Arnold's example, that, he had no doubt, if the temper 
was properly cherished, Washington's ranks would not 



392 APPENDIX. 

only be greatly thinned, but that some of his best corps 
would leave him. To this conclusion, the sergeant said, 
he was led by his own observations, and especially by his 
knowledge of the discontents which agitated the corps to 
which he had belonged. His size, place of birth, his form, 
countenance, color of his hair, the corps in which he had 
served, with other remarks in conformity to the British 
usage, was noted in a large folio book. After this was 
finished, he was sent to the commander-in-chief, in charge 
of one of the staff, with a letter from the adjutant-general. 
Sir Henry Clinton treated him very kindly, and detained 
him more than an hour, asking him many questions, all 
leading — first to know to what extent this spirit of defec- 
tion might be pushed by proper incitements — what were 
the most operating incitements — whether any general offi- 
cers were suspected by Washington as concerned in Ar- 
nold's conspiracy, or any other officers of note- — who they 
were, and whether the troops approved or censured Wash- 
ington's suspicions — whether his popularity in the army 
was sinking, or continued stationary. What w^as Major 
Andre's situation — whether any change had taken place 
in the manner of his confinement — what was the current 
opinion of his probable fate — and whether it was thought 
Washington would treat him as a spy. To these various 
interrogations, some of which were perplexing, Champe 
answered warily ; exciting, nevertheless, hopes that the 
adoption of proper measures to encourage desertion, of 
which he could not pretend to form an opinion, would cer- 
tainly bring off hundreds of the American soldiers,including 
some of the best troops, horse as well as foot. Respecting 
the fate c^ Andre, he said he was ignorant, though there 
appeared to be a general wish in the army that his life 
should not be taken; and that he believed it would depend 
more on the disposition of Congress, than on the will of 
Washington. 

"After this long conversation ended, Sir Henry pre- 
sented Champe with a couple of guineas, and recommended 
him to wait on General Arnold, who was engaged in rais- 
ing an American legion in the service of his majesty. He 
directed one of his aids to write to Arnold by Champe, 
stating who he was, and what he had said about the dis- 
position in the army to follow his example, which was 



APPENDIX. g93 

very soon done; it was given to the orderly attending on 
Chanipe, to be presented with the deserter to GeneraV 
Arnold. Arnold expressed much satisfaction on hearing 
from Champe the manner of his escape, and the effect of 
Arnold's example; and concluded his numerous inquiries 
by assigning quarters to the sergeant — the same as were 
occupied by his recruiting-sergeants. 

"He also proposed to Champe to join his legion, telling 
him he could give to him the same station he had held in 
the rebel service, and promising further advancement when 
merited. Expressing his wish to retire from war, and his 
conviction of the certainty of his being hung if ever taken 
by the rebels, he begged to be excused from enlistment; 
assuring the general that, should he change his mind, he 
would certainly accept his offer. Retiring to the assigned 
quarters, Champe now turned his attention to the delivery 
of his letters, which he could not effect till the next night, 
and then only to one of the two incogniti to whom he was 
recommended. This man received the sergeant with ex- 
treme attention, and, having read the letter, assured Champe 
that he might rely on his faithful cooperation in doing 
every thing in his power consistently with his safety, to 
guard which required the utmost prudence and circum- 
spection. The sole object in which the aid of this indi- 
vidual was required, regarded the general and others of 
our army, implicated inthe information sent to Washing- 
ton by him. To this object Champe urged his attention, 
assuring him of the solicitude it had excited, and telling 
him that its speedy investigation had induced the general 
to send him into New York. Promising to enter on it 
with zeal, and engaging to send out Champe's letters to 
Major Lee, he fixed the time and place for their next 
meeting, when they separated. 

"Lee made known to the general what had been trans- 
mitted to him by Champe, and received in answer direc- 
tions to press Champe to the expeditious conclusion of his 
mission, as the fate of Andre would be soon decided, when 
little or no delay could be admitted in executing whatever 
sentence the court might decree. The same messenger 
who brought Champe's letter, returned with the ordered 
communication. Five days had nearly elapsed after reach- 
ing New York, before Champe saw the confidant to whom 



894 



APPENDIX. 



only the attempt against Arnold was to be intrusted. This 
person entered with promptitude into the design, promis- 
ing his cordial assistance. To procure a proper associate 
to Chainpe was the first object, and this he promised to do 
with all possible despatch. Furnishing a conveyance to 
Lee he again heard from Charnpe, who stated what I have 
related, with the additional intelligence that he had that 
morning, the last of September, been appointed one of 
•Arnold's recruiting-sergeants, having enlisted the day be- 
fore with Arnold; and that he was induced to take this 
afflicting step, for the purpose of securing uninterrupted 
ingress and egress to the house which the general occu- 
pied, it being indispensable to a speedy conclusion of the 
difficult enterprise which the information he had just re- 
ceived had so forcibly urged. He added, that the diffi- 
culties in his way were numerous and stubborn, and that 
his prospect of success was by no means cheering. With 
respect to the additional treason, he asserted that he had 
every reason to believe that it was groundless; that the 
report took its rise in the enemy's camp, and that he 
hoped soon to clear up this matter satisfactorily. The 
pleasure which the first part of this communication af- 
forded was damped by the tidings it imparted respecting 
Arnold, as on his speedy delivery depended Andre's relief. 
The interposition of Sir Henry Clinton, who was extremely 
anxious to save his much-loved aid-de-camp, still contin- 
ued; and it was expected the examination of witnesses 
and the defence of the prisoner would protract the decision 
of the court of inquiry, now assembled, and give sufficient 
time for the consummation of the project committed to 
Champe. A complete disappointment took place from a 
quarter unforeseen and unexpected. The honorable and 
accomplished Andre, knowing his guilt, disdained defence, 
and prevented the examination of witnesses, by confessing 
the character in which he stood. On the next day, the 
2d of October, the court again assembled, when every 
doubt that could possiblj^ arise in the case having been 
removed by the previous confession, Andre was declared 
to be a spy, and condemned to suffer accordingly. 

" The sentence was executed on the subsequent day in 
the usual form, the commander-in-chief deeming it im- 



APPENDIX. 395 

proper to interpose any delay. In tliis decision he was 
warranted by the very unpromising intelligence received 
from Champe — by the still existing implication of other 
officers in Arnold's conspiracy — by a due regard to public 
opinion — and bj^ real tenderness to the condemned. 

" Neither Congress nor the nation could have been with 
propriety informed of the cause of the delay, and without 
such information it must have excited in both alarm and 
suspicion. Andre himself could not have been intrusted 
with the secret,' and would consequently have attributed 
the unlooked-for event to the expostulation and exertion 
of Sir Henry Clinton, which would not fail to produce in 
his breast expectations of ultimate relief; to excite which 
would have been cruel, as the realization of such expecta- 
tion depended only on a possible but improbable contin- 
gency. The fate of Andre, hastened by himself, deprived 
the enterprise committed to Champe of a feature which 
had been highly prized by its projector, and which had 
very much engaged the heart of the individual chosen to 
execute it. 

"Washington ordered Major Lee to communicate what 
had passed to the sergeant, with directions to encourage 
him to prosecute with unrelaxed vigor the remaining ob- 
jects of his instructions, but to intermit haste in the exe- 
cution only so far as was compatible with final success. 

"This was accordingly done, by the first opportunity, 
in the manner directed. Champe deplored the sad neces- 
sity which occurred, and candidly confessed that the hope 
of enabling Washington to save the life of Andre, who 
had been the subject of universal commiseration in the 
American camp, greatly contributed to remove the serious 
difiiculties which opposed his acceding to the proposition 
when first propounded. Some documents accompanied 
this communication, tending to prove the innocence of the 
accused general; they were completely satisfactory, and did 
credit to the discrimination, zeal and diligence of the ser- 
geant. Lee inclosed them immediately to the commander- 
in-chief, who was pleased to express the satisfaction he 
derived from the information, and to order the major to 
wait on him the next day; when the whole subject was 
reexamined, and the distrust heretofor-e entertained of the 

Ee 



396 APPENDIX. 

accused was for ever dismissed.* Nothing now remained 
to be done but the seizure and safe delivery of Arnold. 
To this object Champe gave his undivided attention; and 
on the 19th of October, Major Lee received from him a 
very particular account of the progress he had made, with 
the outlines of his plan. This was without delay submit- 
ted to Washington; with a request for a few additional 
guineas. The general's letter, f written on the same day, 

* Copy of a Letter from General Washington to Major Lee, in his own 
hand-writing, dated 

"October 23d, 1780. 
"Dear Sir: I am very glad your letter of this date has given strength 
to my conviction of the innocence of the gentleman who was the subject 
of your inquiry. I want to see you on a particular piece of business. 
If the day is fair, and nothing of consequence intervenes, I will bo at 
the marquis' quarters at ten o'clock to-morrow. If this should not hap- 
pen, I shall be glad to see you at head-qu;irters. 

"I am, dear sir, your most obedient servant, 

"G. WASHINGTON." 

f Copy of a Letter from General Washington to Major Lee in his own 
hand-writing. 
"Head-Quarters, October 20th, 1780. 

"Dear Sir: The plan proposed for taking A d, the outlines of 

which are communicated in your letter, which was this moment put into 
my hands without date, has every mark of a good one. I therefore agree 
to the promised rewards; and have such entire confidence in your man- 
agement of the business, as to give it my fullest approbation; and leave 
the whole to the guidance of your own judgment, with this express stip- 
ulation and pointed injunction, that he, A d, is brought to me alive. 

" No circumstance whatever shall obtain my consent to his being put 
to death. The idea which would accompany such an event, would be 
that ruffians had been hired to assassinate him. My aim is to make a 
public example of him; and this should be strongly impressed on those 
who are employed to bring him off. The sergeant must be very circum- 
spect; — too much zeal may create suspicion, and too mucii precipitancy 
may defeat the project. The most inviolable secrecy must be observed 
on all hands. I send you five guineas; but I am not satisfied of the pro- 
priety of the sergeant's appearing with much specie. This circumstance 
may also lead to suspicion, as it is but too well known to the enemy 
that we do not abound in this article. 

"The interviews between the party, in and out of the city, should be 
managed with much caution and seeming indifierence; or else the fre- 
quency of their meetings, &c., may betray the design, and involve bad 
consequences; but I am persuaded you will place every matter in a 
proper point of view to the conductors of this interesting business, and 
therefore I shall only add, that 

"I am, dear sir, &c., &.c. 

"G. WASHINGTON." 



APPENDIX. 397 

20th October, evinces his attention to the minutias of busi- 
ness, as well as his immutable determination to possess 
Arnold alive, or not at all. This was his original in- 
junction, which he never omitted to enforce on every 
proper occasion. 

"Major Lee had an opportunity, in the course of the 
week, of writing to Champe, when he told him that the 
rewards which he had promised to his associates would 
be certainly paid on the delivery of Arnold; and in the 
mean time, small sums of money would be furnished for 
casual expenses, it being deemed improper that he should 
appear with much, lest- it might lead to suspicion and 
detection. That five guineas were now sent, and that 
more would follow when absolutely necessary. 

" Ten days elapsed before Champe brought his measures 
to conclusion, when Lee received from him his final com- 
munication, appointing the third subsequent night for a 
party of dragoons to meet him at Hoboken, when he hoped 
to deliver Arnold to the ofiicer. Champe had, from his 
enlistment into the American legion, (Arnold's corps,) 
every opportunity he could wish to attend to the habits 
of the general. He discovered that it was his custom to 
return home about twelve every night, and that previous 
to going to bed he always visited the garden. During 
this visit the conspirators were to seize him, and, being 
prepared with a gag, intended to have applied the same 
instantly. 

"Adjoining the house in which Arnold resided, and in 
which it was designed to seize and gag him, Champe had 
taken off several of the palings and replaced them so that 
with care and without noise he could readily open his way 
to the adjoining alley. Into this alley he meant to have 
conveyed his prisoner, aided by his companion, one of two 
associates who had been introduced by the friend to whom 
Champe had been originally made known by letter from 
the commander-in-chief, and with whose aid and counsel 
he had so far conducted the enterprise. His other associate 
was with the boat prepared at one of the wharves on the 
Hudson river to receive the party. 

"Champe and his friend intended to have placed them- 
selves each under Arnold's shoulder, and to have thus 
borne him through the most unfrequented alleys and 



398 APPENDIX. 

streets to the boat; representing Arnold, in case of being 
questioned, as a drunken soldier whom they were convey- 
ing to the guard-house. 

"When arrived at the boat, the difficulties would be all 
surmounted, there being no danger nor obstacle in passing 
to the Jersey shore. These particulars, so soon as known 
to Lee, were communicated to the commander-in-chief, 
who was highly gratified with the much-desired intelli- 
gence. He directed Major Lee to meet Champe, and to 
take care that Arnold should not be hurt. The day ar- 
rived, and Lee with a party of dragoons left camp late in 
the evening, with three led accoutred horses; one for 
Arnold, one for the sergeant, and the third for his asso- 
ciate, never doubting the success of the enterprise, from 
the tenor of the last-received communication. The party 
reached Hoboken about midnight, where they w^ere con- 
cealed in the adjoining wood — Lee with three dragoons 
stationing himself near the river-shore. Hour after hour 
passed — no boat approached. At length the day broke, 
and the major retired to his party, and with his led horses 
returned to camp, when he proceeded to head-quarters to 
inform the general of the much-lamented disappointment, 
as mortifying as inexplicable. Washington having pe- 
rused Champe's plan and communication, had indulged 
the presumption that at length the object of his keen and 
constant pursuit was sure of execution, and did not dis- 
semble the joy such conviction produced. He was cha- 
grined at the issue, and apprehended that his faithful 
sergeant must have been detected in the last scene of his 
tedious and difficult enterprise. 

"In a few days Lee received an anonymous letter from 
Champe's patron and friend, informing him that on the 
day preceding the night fixed for the execution of the plot, 
Arnold had removed his quarters to another part of the 
town, to superintend the embarkation of troops, preparing, 
as was rumored, for an expedition to be directed by him- 
self; and that the American legion, consisting chiefly of 
American deserters, had been transferred from their bar- 
racks to one of the transports; it being apprehended that 
if left on shore till the expedition was ready, many of 
them might desert. Thus it. happened that John Champe, 
instead of crossing the Hudson that night, was safely de- 



APPENDIX. 399 

posited on board one of the fleet of transports, whence he 
never departed till the troops under Arnold landed in 
Virginia! nor was he able to escape from the British army 
till after the junction of Lord Cornwallis at Petersburg, 
when he deserted, and proceeding high up into Virginia, 
he passed into North Carolina, near the Sama towns, and, 
keeping in the friendlj^ districts of that state, safely joined 
the army soon after it had passed the Congaree in pursuit 
of Lord Rawdon. 

"His appearance excited extreme surprise among his 
former comrades, which was not a little increased when 
they saw the cordial reception he met with from the late 
major, now Lieutenant-Colonel Lee. His whole story soon 
became known to the corps, which reproduced the love 
and respect of of&cer and soldier, heretofore invariably 
entertained for the sergeant, heightened by universal ad- 
miration of his late daring and arduous attempt 

"Champe was introduced to General Greene, who very 
cheerfully complied with the promises made by the com- 
mander-in-chief, so far as in his power; and having pro- 
vided the sergeant with a good horse and money for his 
journey, sent him to General Washington, who munifi- 
cently anticipated every desire of the sergeant, and pre- 
sented him with his discharge from further service,* lest| 
he might in the vicissitudes of war fall into the enemy's 
hands; when, if recognized, he was sure to die on the 
gibbet." 

* When General Washington was called by President Adams to the 
command of the army, prepared to defend the country from French 
hostility, he sent to Lieutenant-Colonel Lee, to inquire for Champe; 
being determined to bring him into the field at the head of a company 
of infantry. Lee sent to Loudon county, where Champe settled after 
his discharge from the army ; when lie learned that the gallant sold''*" 
had removed to Kentucky, where he soon after died. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



MAJOR-GENERAL ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

The life of this patriot and hero has been portrayed by 
the able and impartial hand of the late General David 
Humphreys, and a brief sketch, chiefly from that work, 
must suffice for the present purpose. General Putnam 
was born at Salem, Massachusetts, on the 7th day of Jan- 
uary, 1718. He was mdebted to nature, more than edu- 
cation, for a vigorous constitution, for mental endowments, 
and for that undaunted courage and active enterprise which 
were his prominent characteristics. Much conhdence was 
reposed in his military prowess and judgment, and he was 
remarkable for a faithful perseverance in all the duties of 
his station, and for the most undeviating princij^les of 
honor, humanity and benevolence. In the year 1739, he 
removed to Pomfret, in Connecticut, where he applied 
himself to the art of agriculture. His biographer, as a 
display of character in early life, has recorded an instance 
of his bold attack of a wolf while in her den; but as the 
story has been frequently promulgated, it need not be re- 
peated in this place. When, in the year 1755, the war 
between England and France broke out in America, Put- 
nam was appointed to the command of a company of 
rangers, and was distinguished for his active services as a 
partizan officer. In 1757, he \\^s promoted to a majority, 
and being in a warm and close engagement with a party 
of French and savages, he had discharged his fuzee several 
times, when at length it missed fire while the muzzle was 
pressed against the breast of a large and well-proportioned 
Indian. This adversary, with a tremendous war-whoop, 
sprang forward with his lifted hatchet, and compelled him 
to surrender; and having bound him fast to a tree returned 



APPENDIX. 401 

to the battle. For a considerable time the tree to which 
Major Putnam was tied was directly between the fires of 
the two parties, than which no conceivable situation could 
be more deplorable. The balls flew incessantly from each 
side, many struck the tree, while some passed through the 
sleeves and skirts of his coat. In this state of jeopardy, 
unable to move his body, to stir his limbs, or even to in- 
cline his head, he remained more than an hour — so equally 
balanced and so obstinate was the fight! At one moment, 
while the battle swerved in favor of the enemy, a young 
savage chose an odd way of discovering his humor. He 
found Putnam bound. He might have despatched him at 
a blow. But he loved better to excite the terrors of the 
prisoner by hurling a tomahawk at his head, or rather it 
should seem his object was to see how near he could throw 
it without touching him.' — The weapon struck in the tree 
a number of times at a hair's-breadth from the mark. 
AVhen the Indian had finished his amusement, a French 
bas-ofhcer, a much more inveterate savage by nature, 
though descended from so humane and polished a nation, 
perceiving Putnam, came to him, and, levelling a fuzee 
within a foot of his breast, attempted to discharge it — it 
missed fire. Ineffectually did the intended victim solicit 
the treatment due to his situation, by repeating that he 
was a prisoner of war. The degenerate Frenchman did 
not understand the language of honor or of nature; deaf 
to their voice, and dead to sensibility, he violently and 
repeatedly pushed the muzzle of his gun against Putnam's 
rib's, and finally gave him a cruel blow on the jaw with 
the butt-end of his piece. After this dastardly deed he 
left him. 

At length the enemy was driven from the field of battle, 
and, as they were retiring, Putnam was untied by the 
Indian who had made him prisoner, and whom he after- 
wards called master. Having been conducted to some 
distance from the place of action, he was stripped of his 
coat, vest, stockings and shoes; loaded with as many of 
the packs of the wounded as could be piled on him, 
strongly pinioned, and his wrists tied as closely together 
as they could be pulled with a cord. After he had 
marched through no pleasant paths, in this painful man- 
ner, for many a tedious mile, the party, who were exces- 



^Q2 APPENDIX. 

sively fatigued, halted to breathe. His hands were now 
immoderately swelled from the tightness of the ligature, 
and the pain had become intolerable. Ilis feet were so 
much scratched, that the blood dropped fast from them. 
Exhausted with bearing a burden above his strength, and 
frantic with torments exquisite beyond endurance, he in- 
treated the Irish interpreter to implore, as the last and 
only grace he desired of the savages, that they would 
knock him on the head, and take his scalp at once, or 
loose his hands. A French officer, instantly interposing, 
ordered his hands to be unbound, and some of the packs 
to be taken off. By this time the Indian who captured 
him and had been absent with the wounded, coming up, 
gave him a pair of moccasins, and expressed great indigna- 
tion at the unworthy treatment his prisoner had suffered. 
That savage chief again returned to the care of the 
wounded, and the Indians, about two hundred in number, 
went before the rest of the party to the place where the 
whole Avere that night to encamp. They took with thetn 
Major Putnam, on whom, besides innumerable other out- 
rages, they had the barbarity to inflict a deep wound with 
the tomahawk in the left cheek. His sufferings were in 
this place to be consummated. A scene of horror, infi- 
nitely greater than had ever met his eyes before, was now 
preparing. It was determined to roast him alive. For 
this purpose the}^ led him into a dark forest, stripped him 
naked, bound him to a tree, and piled dry brush, with 
other fuel, at a small distance, in a circle round him. 
They accompanied their labors, as if for his funeral dirge, 
with screams and sounds, inimitable but by savage voices. 
Then they set the piles on fire, A sudden shower damped 
the rising flame. Still they strove to kindle it; at last the 
blaze ran fiercely round the circle. Major Putnam soon 
began to feel the scorching heat. His hands were so tied 
that he could move his body. He often shifted sides as 
the fire approached. This sight, at the very idea of which, 
all but savages must shudder, afforded the highest diversion 
to his inhuman tormentors, who demonstrated the delirium 
of their joy by corresponding yells, dances and gesticula- 
tions. He saw clearly tliat his final hour was inevitably 
come. He summoned all his resolution, and composed 
his mind, so far as the circumstances could admit, to bid 



APPENDIX. 403 

an eternal farewell to all he held most dear. To quit the 
world would scarcely have cost a single pang; but for the 
idea of home, but for the remembrance of domestic endear- 
ments, of the affectionate partner of his soul, and of their 
beloved offspring. His thought was ultimately fixed on 
a happier state of existence, beyond the tortures he was 
beginning to endure. The bitterness of death, even of 
that death which is accompanied with the keenest agonies, 
was, in a manner, past — nature, with a feeble struggle, was 
quitting its last hold on sublunary things — when a French 
officer rushed through the crowd, opened a way by scat- 
tering the burning brands, and unbound the victim. It 
was Molang himself — to whom a savage, unwilling to see 
another human victim immolated, had run and communi- 
cated the tidings. That commandant spurned and severely 
reprimanded the barbarians, whose nocturnal powwas and 
hellish orgies he suddenly ended. Putnam did not want 
for feeling or gratitude. The French commander, fearing 
to trust him alone with them, remained till he could safely 
deliver him into the hands of his master. 

The savage approached his prisoner kindly, and seemed 
to treat him with particular affection. He offered him 
some hard biscuit; but finding that he could not chew 
them, on account of the blow he had received from the 
Frenchman, this more humane savage soaked some of the 
biscuit in water, and made him suck the pulp-like part. 
Determined, however, not to lose his captive, the refresh- 
ment being finished, he took the moccasins from his feet, 
and tied them to one of his wrists; then directing him to 
lie down on his back on the bare ground, he stretched one 
arm to its full length, and bound it fast to a young tree; 
the other arm was extended and bound in the same man- 
ner — his legs were stretched apart, and fastened to two 
saplings. Then a number of tall, but slender poles were 
cut down, which, with some long bushes, were laid across 
his body from head to foot: on each side lay as many In- 
dians as could conveniently find lodging, in order to pre- 
vent the possibility of his escape. In this disagreeable 
and painful posture he remained till morning. During 
the night, (the longest and most dreary conceivable,) our 
hero used to relate that he felt a ray of cheerfulness come 
casually across his mind, and could not even refrain from 



404 APPENDIX. 

smiling when he reflected on this ludicrous group for a 
painter, of which he himself was the principal figure. 

The next day he was allowed his blanket and moccasins, 
and permitted to march without carrying any pack or re- 
ceiving any insult. To allay his extreme hunger, a little 
bear's-meat was given, which he sucked through his teeth. 
At night the party arrived at Ticonderoga, and the pris- 
oner was placed under the care of a French guard. The 
savages, who had been prevented from glutting their dia- 
bolical thirst for blood, took this opportunity of manifesting 
their malevolence for the disappointment by horrid grim- 
aces and' angry gestures; but they were suffered no more 
to offer violence or personal indignity to him. 

After having been examined by the Marquis de Mont- 
calm, Major Putnam v/as conducted to Montreal by a 
French officer, who treated him with the greatest indulg- 
ence and humanity. 

At this place were several prisoners. Colonel Peter 
Schu3der, remarkable for his philanthropy, generosity and 
friendship, was of the number. No sooner had he heard 
of Major Putnam's arrival, than he went to the interpret- 
er's quarters, and inquired whether he had a Provincial 
major in his custody? He found Major Putnam in a com- 
fortless condition — without coat, waistcoat, or hose — the 
remnant of his clothing" miserably dirty and ragged — his 
beard long and squalid — his legs torn b}^ thorns and briers 
• — his face gashed with wounds and swollen with bruises. 
Colonel Schuyler, irritated bej'ond all sufferance at such a 
sight, could scarcely restrain his speech within limits con- 
sistent with the prudence of a prisoner and the meekness 
of a Christian. Major Putnam was immediately treated 
according to his rank, clothed in a decent manner, and 
supplied with money by this liberal and sympathetic 
patron of the distressed, and by his assistance he was soon 
after exchanged. 

In the year 1760, Major Putnam was promoted to the 
rank of lieutenant-colonel, and served under General Am- 
herst in the conquest of Canada. He embraced numerous 
opportunities of achieving feats of valor, and was partic- 
ularly honored by his general for the promptitude and 
ability with which he acquitted himself of his arduous 
duty. " Colonel Putnam, at the expiration of ten years 



APPENDIX. 405 

from his first receiving a commission, after having seen as 
much service, endured as many hardships, encountered as 
many dangers, and acquired as many laurels, as any officer 
of his rank, with great satisfaction laid aside his uniform 
and returned to his plough." No character stood fairer 
in the public eye for integrity, bravery and patriotism. 
It was proverbially said, as well b}^ British as Provincial 
officers, that, in a service of great peril and hardship, from 
1755 to 1763, "Ae dared to lead where avy dared to folloxoP 
At the commencement of hostilities between the colonies 
and the mother-country, Colonel Putnam, on hearing of the 
battle at Lexington, l#t his plough in the middle of the 
field, and, without changing his clothes, repaired to Cam- 
bridge, riding in a single day one hundred miles. He was 
soon appointed a major-general in the provincial army, and, 
returning to Connecticut, he made no delay in bringing 
on a body of troops. Not long after his appointment, the 
commander of the British army, unwilling that so valua- 
ble an officer should act in opposition, privately conveyed 
to him a proposal that if he would quit the rebel party, he 
might rely on being made a major-general in the British 
establishment, and receiving a great pecuniary compensa- 
tion for his services; but he spurned the offer. "On the 
16th of June, 1775, it was determined in a council of war, 
at which General Putnam assisted, that a fortified post 
should be established at or near Bunker-hill. General 
Putnam marched with the first detachment and commenced 
the work; he was the principal agent or engineer who 
traced the lines of the redoubt, and he continued most, if 
not all the night with the workmen : at any rate, he was 
on the spot before sun-rising in the morning, and had taken 
his station on the top of Bunker-hill, and participated in 
the danger as well as the glory of that day."* 

A Letter from the Hon. Judge Grosvevor, of Powfret, Connecticut. 

" Being under the command of General Putnam, part of our regiment, 
and a much hirger number of Massachusetts troops, under Colonel Pres- 

* In the spring of the year 1818 an account of the battle of Bunker- 
hill was publishdd in the Port Folio by Henry Dearborn, Esq., major- 
general in the army of the United States, in which he animadverts on 
the conduct of General Putnam with great severity. To this production 
Daniel Putnam, Esq., son of the late general, has published a rejoinder, 
from which I have taken the testimonials which follow. 



; 

406 APPENDIX. 

cott, were ordered to march on the evening of the 16th of June, 1775, 
to Breed"s-hill, where, under the. immediate superintendence of Geneml 
Putnam, ground was broken and a redoubt formed. On the following 
day, the 17th, dispositions were made to deter the advance of the enemy, 
as there was reason to believe an immediate attack was intended. Gen- 
eral Putnam during the period was extremely active, and directed prin- 
cipally the operations. All were animated, and their general inspired 
confidence by his example. The British army, having made dispositions 
for landing at Morton's Point, were covered by the fire of shot and shells 
from Copp's-hill in Boston, which it had opened on our redoubt early in 
the morning, and continued the greater part of the day. At this moment 
a detachment of four lieutenants, of which 1 was one, and one hundred 
and twelve men, selected the preceding day from General Putnam's 
regiment, under Captain Knowlton, were b^ the general ordered to take 
post at a rail-fence on the left of the breastwork tiiat ran north from 
the redoubt to the bottom of Breed's-hill. This order was promptly 
executed, and our detachment, in advancing to the post, took one rail- 
fence and placed it against another, as a partial cover, nearly parallel 
with the line of the breastwork, and extended our left nearly to IMystie 
river. Each man was furnished with one pound oi gun-pou-cler ixudforty- 
eiglit balls. This ammunition was received, however, prior to marching 
to Breed's-hill. In this position our detachment remained till a second 
divi-sion of British troops lauded, when they commenced a fire of their 
Jield artillery of several rounds, and particularly against the rail-fence; 
then formed in columns, advanced to the attack, displayed in line at about 
the distance of musket-shot, and commenced firing. At this instant our 
whole line opened on the enemy, and so precise and fatal was our fire, 
that in the course of a short time they gave way, and retired in disorder 
out of musket-shot, leaving before us many killed and wounded. There 
was but a short respite on the part of the British, as their lines were 
soon filled up and led against us, when they were met as before, and 
forced back with great loss. On reinforcements joining the enemy, they 
made a direct advance on the redoubt, and being successful, which our 
brave Captain Knowlton perceiving, ordered a retreat of his men, in 
which he loas sustained by two companies under the command of Captains 
Clark and Chester. The loss in our detachment I presume was nearly 
equal. Of my own immediate conmiand of thirty men and one subal- 
tern, there were eleven killed and wounded; among the latter was myself, 
though not so severely as to prevent my retiring. At the rail-fence there 
was not posted any corps save our own, under Knowlton, at the time the 
firing commenced; nor did I hear of any other being there, till long after 
the action. Other troops, it is said, were ordered to join us, but refused 
doing so. Of the officers on the ground, the most active within my 
observation were General Putnam, Colonel Presscott, and Captain Knowl- 
ton; but no doubt there were many more, equally brave and meritorious, 
who must naturally have escaped the eye of one attending to his own 
immediate command. 

"Thus you have a brief statement of my knowledge of the action, 
without descending to particulars. To conclude, it is matter of surprise, 
even of astonishment to me, my dear sir, that I am called on to state 
my opinion of the character of your honored father, General Putnam, 



APPENDIX. 407 

who was ever the first in public life at the post of honor and danger, 
and who, in his private conduct, was excelled by none. Look but at hia 
services in the French and Indian wars from 1755 to 1763, and finally 
at those of the revolution, and you will need no proof to refute the 
calumny of common defamers. 

"With respect, I am, yours, truly, "THOMAS GROSVENOR. 
"Colonel Daniel Putnam." 

The following is a letter from Colonel John Trumbull, 
of New York, an officer of distinction in the revolutionary 
war, and now a celebrated historical painter, employed in 
his profession by the government of the United States, 
dated. New York, 30th of March, 1818: 

"In the summer of 1786, I became acquainted in London with Colo- 
nel John Small, of the British army, who had served in America many 
years, and had known General Putnam intimately during the war of Can- 
ada, from 1756 to 1763. From him I had the two folhjwing anecdotes 
respecting the battle of Bunker-iiill. I shall nearly repeat his words: 
Looking at the picture which I had then almost completed, he said: 'I 
don't like the situation in which you have placed my old friend Putnnm; 
you have not done him justice. I wish you would alter that part of 
your picture, and introduce a circumstance which actually happened, and 
which I can never forget. When the British troops advanced the second 
time to the attack of the redoubt, I with other officers was in front of 
the line to encourage the men; we had advanced very near the works 
undisturbed, when an irregular fire like a feu dejoie was poured in on 
us; it was cruelly fatal. The troops fell back, and when I looked to the 
right and left, I saw not one officer standing. I glanced my eye to the 
enemy, and saw several young men levelling their pieces at me; I knew 
their excellence as marksmen, and considered myself gone. At this 
moment my old friend Putnam rushed forward, and striking up the 
muzzles of their pieces with his sword, cried out, 'For God's sake, my 
lads, don't fire at that man! — I love him as I do my brother.' We were 
so near each other that I heard his words distinctly. He was obeyed; I 
bowed, thanked him, and walked away unmolested.' 

"The other anecdote relates to the death of General Warren. At 
the moment when the troops succeeded in carrying the redoubt and the 
Americans were in full retreat, General Howe, who had been hurt by a 
spent ball, which bruised his ankle, was leaning on my arm. He called 
suddenly to me: 'Do you see that elegant young man who has just 
fallen? — do you know him?' I looked to the spot to which he pointed: 
'Good God, sir, I believe it is my friend Warren.' 'Leave me then in- 
stantly — run — keep off the troops — save him if possible.' — I flew to the 
spot. 'My dear friend,' I said to him, 'I hope you are not badly hurt.' 
He looked up, seemed to recollect me, smiled, and died! A musket-ball 
had passed through the upper part of his head. Colonel Small had the 
character of an honorable, upright man, and could have no conceivable 
motive for deviating from truth in relating these circumstances to me; 
I therefore believe them to be true. You remember, my dear sir, the 
viper Ijiting the file. The character of your father for courage, humanity, 



408 APPENDIX. 

generosity and integrity is too firmly established, by the testimony of 
those who did hrioiv him, to be tarnished by the breath of one who con- 
fesses that he did nnt. Accept, my dear sir, this feeble tribute to your 
father's memory, from one who knew him, respected him, loved him — and 
who wishes health and prosperity to vou and all the good man's pos- 
terity. ' "JOHN TRUMBULL. 
"Daniel Putnam, Esquire." 

"I shall make no comment," saj^s Colonel Putnam, "on 
the first anecdote by Colonel Small, except that the cir- 
cumstances were related by General Putnam, without any 
essential alteration, soon after the battle; and that there 
was an interview of the parties on the lines between Pros- 
pect and Bunker-hill, at the request of Colonel Small, not 
long afterwards." 

It is very apparent that General Washington reposed 
great confidence in the skill and judgment of General 
Putnam, or he would not have intrusted him with the 
command of the city of New York at the moment when 
it was expected that the whole of the British land and 
naval forces would attempt to take possession of that city. 
On the 29th of March, 1776, the commander-in-chief gave 
to General Putnam the following orders and instructions: 
"You will, no doubt, make the best despatch in getting 
to New York; on your arrival there, you will assume the 
command, and immediately proceed in continuing to exe- 
cute the plan proposed by Major-General Lee, for fortify- 
ing that city, and securing the passes of the East and North 
rivers. If, on consultation with the brigadier-generals and 
engineers, any alteration in that plan is thought necessary, 
you are at liberty to make it, cautiously avoiding to break 
in too much on his main design, unless where it may be 
apparently necessary so to do, and that by the general 
voice and opinion of the gentlemen above mentioned. 
You will meet the quarter-master-general. Colonel Mifflin, 
and commissary-general. Colonel Trumbull, at New York. 
As these are both men of excellent talents in their differ- 
ent departments, you will do well to give them all the 
authority and assistance they require; and should a council 
of war be necessary, it is my direction that they assist at 
it. Your lo7}g service mid experience will, better than my 
particular directions at this distance, point out to you the 
works most proper to be first raised, and your perseverance, 



APPENDIX. 409 

actwityand zeal will lead you, without my recommending it, 
to exert every nerve to disappoint the enemy's designs." 

"The faithful execution of the duties here enjoined were 
acknowledged by the commander-in-chief after his arrival 
in New York, and his thanks were publicly expressed in 
general orders. Two days before the battle of Flatbush, 
in consequence of the sickness of that excellent officer, 
Major-General Greene, who had commanded on Long Isl- 
and, General Putnam was ordered to the command of that 
post, and assisted in the arduous and complicated difficul- 
ties of that masterly retreat. In the memorable and dis- 
tressing ^/(/Ai of the American army through New Jersey, 
in 1776, General Putnam was always near — always the 
friend, the supporter, and confidant of his beloved chief; 
and the moment after reaching the western bank of the 
Delaware with the rear of the army, he was ordered to 
Philadelphia, to fortify and defend that city against a 
meditated attack. When, in the summer of 1777, Fort 
Montgomery was captured by the enemy, and it was de- 
termined to erect another fortification on the banks of the 
Hudson for the defence of that river, the cominander-in- 
chief left it wholly to the judgment of General Putnam to 
fix on the spot, who decided in favor of West Point; and, 
as his biographer has remarked, 'it is no vulgar praise to 
say, that to him belongs the glory of having chosen this 
rock of our military salvation.'" 

As an instance of the decision of his temper, the follow- 
ing is deserving of notice. A man by the name of Nathan 
Palmer was detected in General Putnam's camp, who, on 
trial, was found to be a lieutenant in the tory new levies. 
Governor Tryon, their commander, addressed General Put- 
nam, and reclaimed Palmer as a British officer, and threat- 
ened vengeance in case he should be executed. This drew 
from him a reply in the following laconic style: 

"Sir: Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's service, was taken 
in my camp as a spij, — he was tried as a spy, — he was condemned as a 
spy, — and you may rest assured, sir, that he sliall be hanged as a spy. 
'•I have the honor to be, &,c. "ISRAEL PUTNAM. 

"His Excellency Governor Tryon. 

"P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged." 

In December, 1779, while on his return from Connecti- 
cut to head-quarters, this venerable man was attacked by 



410 APPENDIX. 

a paralytic affection, under whicli lie languislied till the 
19tli of May, 1790, when his honorable and useful life 
was brought to a final close. The qualities of his mind 
were sincerity, generosity and an invincible sense of duty. 
The moral virtues, and duties of piety and pure religion, 
were objects of his serious reflection, and the late Rev. 
Dr. Dwight, in his Travels, has eulogized these as eminent 
traits in his character. 

Extract of a Letter from Gen. Washington to Gen. Putnam, dated 

"Head-Quarters, 2d June, 1783. 

"Dear Sir: Your fovor of the 20tli of May I received with much 
pleasure. For I can assure you that, among the many wortliy ;ind mer- 
itorious officers with whom I have had tlie liappiness to be connected in 
service through the course of this war, and from whose cheerful assist- 
ance in the various and trying vicissitudes of a complicated contest, the 
name of Putnam is not forgotten; nor will it be, but with that stroke of 
time which shall obliterate from my mind the remembrance of all those 
toils and fatigues through which we have struggled for the preservation 
and establishment of the rights, liberties, and independence of our coun- 
try. Your congratulations on the happy prospect of {)eace and inde- 
pendent security, with their attendant blessings to the United States, I 
receive witli great satisfaction; and beg you will accept a return of my 
gratulations to you, on this auspicious event — an event in which, great 
as it is in itself, and glorious as it will probably be in its consequences, 
you ha\'e a right to participate largely, from the distinguished part you 
have conlrihvted toicards its attainment. I anticipate with pleasure the 
day, and I trust not far off, when I shall quit the busy scenes of military 
employment, and retire to the more tranquil walks of domestic life. In 
that, or whatever other situation Providence may dispose of my future 
days, the remembrance of the many friendships and connexions I have had 
the happiness to contract with the gentlemen of the army, will be one of 
my most grateful reflections. 

"Under this contemplation, and impressed with the sentiments of 
benevolence and regard, I commend you, my dear sir, my other friends, 
and, with them, the interests and happiness of our dear country, to the 
keeping and protection of Almighty God. 

"I have the honor to be, &c., &c. 

"GEORGE WASHINGTON. 
'• To the Hon. Major-General Putnam." 

The following eulogium was pronounced at the grave 
of General Putnam by Dr. A. Waldo : 

"Those venerable relics! once delighted in the endearing domestic 
virtues which constitute the excellent neighbor — husband — parent — and 
worthy brother! liberal and substantial in his friendship; — unsuspicious 
— open — and generous; just and sincere in dealing; a benevolent citi- 
zen of the world — he concentrated in his bosom the noble qualities of an 
Honest Man. 



APPENDIX. 411 

"Born a Hero — whom nature taught and cherished in the lap of innu- 
merable toils and dangers, he was terrible in battle! But, from the 
amiableness of his heart — when carnage ceased, his humanity spread 
over the Jidd, like the refreshing zephyrs of a summer's evening! The 
prisoner — the wounded — the sick — the forlorn — experienced the delicate 
sympathy of this Soldier's Pillar. The poor and tiie needy of every de- 
scription, received the charitable bounties of this Christian Soldier, 

"He pitied littleness — loved goodness — admired greatness, and ever 
aspired to its glorious summit! The friend, the servant, and almost un- 
paralleled lover of his country; — worn with honorable age, and the 
former toils of icar — Putnam rests from his labors! 

""Till moulderiiifT worlds and tremblihg systems burst! 
When the last trump shall renovate his dust — 
ytill by the mandate of eternal truth, 
His soul will flourish in immortal youth !' 

" ' This all who knew him, know ; this all who loved him tell.' " 

Dr. Dwight penned a very excellent inscription, which 
is engraved on his tomb, but our narrow limits must 
apologize for its omission in this place. 



MAJOR-GENERAL WIllIAM HEATH. 

Major-General William Heath was a native of 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was from his youth a culti- 
vator of the soil, which was his favorite pursuit. He was 
not conversant with general literature; but, being partic- 
ularly attached to the study of military tactics, he acquired 
a knowledge of modern warfare in its various branches 
and duties. 

At an early period of the opposition of the colonies to 
the unjust and oppressive measures of the British ministry, 
he was an active militia officer, and assiduously engaged 
in organizing and disciplining the companies of militia 
and minute- men. In the year 1775, being ranked among 
the patriots and advocates for liberty, he was by the Pro- 
vincial Congress commissioned as a brigadier-general. 

During the siege of Boston, he was in commission as a 
general officer, but on no occasion distinguished for enter- 
prise or important services. When General Washington 
contemplated an attack on Boston, General Heath was 
offered the command of a division, but he declined the 
hazardous service. In August, 1776, he was by Congress 
promoted to the rank of major-general in the continental 

Ff 



412 au'l.xdix. 

army, and in the campaign of that year he conmianded a 
division near the enemy's lines at King's-bridge and Mor- 
risania. During the year 1777, and till November, 1778, 
he was the commanding officer of the Eastern department, 
and his head-quarters were at Boston. Here devolved 
on him the very arduous duties of superintendent of the 
convention troops, captured with General Burgoyne at 
Saratoga, which were quartered at Cambridge. This 
station required a character of uncommon firmness and 
decision, and had General Heath been destitute of these 
qualities, he would have been subjected to the grossest 
impositions and indignities, from the haughty Generals 
Burgoyne and Phillips, and the perverse temper of their 
soldiery. These officers, lofty in spirit, and of high rank 
and character, now chagrined by a state of captivity, oc- 
casioned to General Heath a series of difficulties and vex- 
ations. He soon, however, convinced them that he was 
neither deficient in spirit nor ignorant of his duty, as a 
military commander. In all his proceedings with these 
turbulent captives, he supported the authority of Congress 
and the honor and dignity of the command reposed in him; 
and he received the entire approbation of that honorable 
body, to whom he was amenable for his conduct. In the 
most interesting and critical circumstances in which a gen- 
eral could possibly be placed, he uniformly exhibited a 
prudence, animation, decision, and firmness which have 
done him honor, and fully justified the confidence re- 
posed in him. 

The cordial and most explicit approbation of the army, 
the inhabitants of this town, the army and navy of our 
illustrious ally, the government of this state, his excellency 
the commander-in-chief, and of Congress, added to the 
consciousness of his having discharged his trust with 
fidelity, must in a great measure have alleviated the fa- 
tigues incident to his arduous station, and compensated the 
loss of his health, so much impaired by an incessant atten- 
tion to business.* In June, 1779, General Heath was 
elected by Congress a commissioner of the Board of War, 
with a salary of four thousand dollars per annum, and al- 
lowed to retain his rank in the army, which he declined, 
preferring to participate in active operations in the field. 
* Coniinental Journal, printed at Boston, November 12th, 1778. 



APPENDIX. 413 

In the summer of 1780, he was directed by the com- 
mander-in-chief to repair to Rhode Island, to make arrange- 
ments for the reception of the French fleet and army, which 
were expected soon to arrive. In his interview with the 
Count Rochambeau and other officers of the French army 
and navy, he proffered his friendly civilities, and contri- 
buted all in his power to their comfortable accommodation, 
which was productive of a mutual and lasting friendship 
between them. Indefatigable attention to duty, in the 
various stations assigned him, was a prominent trait in his 
character. In May, 1781, General Heath was directed by 
the commander-in-chief to repair to the New England 
states, to represent to their respective executives the dis- 
tressing condition of our army, and to solicit a speedy 
supply of provisions and clothing, in which he was suc- 
cessful. As senior major-general, he was more than once 
commander of the right wing of our army, and during the 
absence of the commander-in-chief, at the siege of York- 
town, he was intrusted with the command of the main 
army, posted at the highlands and vicinity, to guard the 
important works on the Hudson, On the 24th of June, 
1784, hostilities having ceased between the two armies. 
General Washington addressed a letter to General Heath, 
expressing his thanks for his meritorious services, and his 
real affection and esteem, and on the same day the}' took 
their final leave. 

General Heath was corpulent and bald-headed, which 
occasioned some of the French officers to observe that he 
resembled the Marquis of Granby, and he appeared always 
pleased with the comparison. As an officer of parade and 
discipline, he was respectable; but for valorous achieve- 
ments, we look in vain for his laurels. Had it been his 
destiny, however, to encounter the perils of a conflict in 
the field of blood, no one can say with what adroitness he 
would have played the hero. 

Immediately after the close of the war, General Heath 
was called again into public service in civil life, and con- 
tinued to hold a seat, either in the legislature or in the 
council of Massachusetts, till the county of Norfolk was 
established, in 1798, when he was appointed by Governor 
Hancock judge of probate and a justice of the court of 
common pleas; the latter office he did not accept; in the 



41-}. APPENDIX. 

former he continued till his death. He was also a mem- 
ber of the state convention which ratified the federal con- 
stitution. All these offices he discharged with assiduity, 
affixbility and impartiality, and to the general satisfaction 
of his fellow-citizens. 

He had formed his opinion of human nature on the most 
favorable examples, and to the close of life had a strong 
regard to popular opinion. He repeatedly allowed himself 
to be held up and voted for, for the office of governor and 
lieutenant-governor of the commonwealth, and at one 
period had, no doubt, a willingness and desire to hold one 
of these offices. In 1806 he was elected lieutenant-gov- 
ernor. His refusal of the office was matter of surprise to 
many, and was by some imputed to an unwillingness to 
serve with Governor Strong; while it was well known to 
those most intimate with him to be owing to his disappro- 
bation of the conduct of the legislature of that year, in 
their memorable attempt to defeat the voice of the people, 
by setting aside Governor Strong's election. 

He was more than once an elector of president and vice- 
president of the United States, and gave his vote to those 
who undertook to appropriate to themselves the name 
republican, till the election preceding his death, when he 
withheld his vote from Mr. Madison, on account of his 
recommending the declaration of war in 1812, and sanc- 
tioning the measures which preceded and followed this 
event, and which caused the general wholly to withdraw 
his confidence from that administration. 

Such was General Heath's public life. His private one 
was retired and domestic, amiable, orderly, and industri- 
ous, but not remarkable for hospitality, or a liberal appro- 
priation of property to public purposes. He died at 
Eoxbury, January 24th, 1814, aged seventy-seven years. 



MAJOR-GENERAL BENJAMIN LINCOLN. 

General Lincoln deserves a high rank in the fraternity 
of American heroes. He was born in Hingham, Massa- 
chusetts, January 23d, (0. S.) 1733. His early education 
was not auspicious to his future eminence, and his vocation 
was that of a farmer, till he was more than forty years of 



APPENDIX. 415 

age, though he was commissioned as a magistrate, and 
elected a representative in the state legislature. In the 
year 1775, he sustained the office of lieutenant-colonel of 
militia, and having espoused the cause of his country as 
a firm and determined whig, he was elected a member of 
the Provincial Congress, and one of" the secretaries of that 
body, and also a member of the committee of correspond- 
ence. In 1776 he was appointed by the council of Mas- 
chusetts a brigadier, and soon after a major-general, and 
he applied himself assiduously to training and preparing 
-the militia for actual service in the field, in which he dis- 
played the military talent which he possessed. In October, 
he marched with a body of militia, and joined the main 
army at New York. The commander-in-chief, from a 
knowledge of his character and merit, recommended him 
to Congress as an excellent officer, and in February, 1777, 
he was by that honorable body created a major-general on 
the continental establishment. For several months he 
commanded a division, or detachments in the main army, 
under Washington, and was in situations which required 
the exercise of the utmost vigilance and caution, as well 
as firmness and courage. Having the command of about 
five hundred men in an exposed situation near Bound 
Brook, through the neglect of his patroles, a large body 
of the enemy approached within two hundred yards of his 
quarters undiscovered; the general had scarcely time to 
mount and leave the house before it was surrounded. He 
led off his troops, however, in the face of the enemy, and 
made good his retreat, though with the loss of about sixty 
men, killed and wounded. One of his aids with the gen- 
eral's baggage and papers fell into the hands of the enemy, 
as did also three small pieces of artillery. In July, 1777, 
General Washington selected him to join the northern 
army, under the command of General Gates, to oppose 
the advance of General Burgoyne He took his statipn 
at Manchester, in Vermont, to receive and form the New 
England militia, as they arrived, and to order their march 
to the rear of the British army. He detached Colonel 
Brown with five hundred men on the 13th of September 
to the landing at Lake George, where he succeeded in sur- 
prising the enemy, and took possession of two hundred 
batteaux, liberated one hundred American prisoners, and 



410 APPENDIX. 

captured two hundred and ninety-three of the enemy, with 
the loss of only three killed and five wounded. This en- 
terprise was of the highest importance, and contributed 
essentially to the glorious event which followed. Having 
detached two other parties to the enemy's posts at Mount 
Independence and Skenesborough, General Lincoln united 
his remaining force with the army under General Gates, 
and was the second in command. During the sanguinary 
conflict on the 7th of October, General Lincoln commanded 
within our lines, and at one o'clock the next morning he 
marched with his division to relieve the troops that had 
been engaged, and to occupy the battle-ground, the enemy 
having retreated. While on this duty he had occasion to 
ride forward some distance, to reconnoitre, and to order 
some disposition of his own troops, when a party of the 
enemy made an unexpected movement, and he approached 
within musket-shot before he was aware of his mistake. 
A whole volley of musketry was instantly discharged at 
him and his aids, and he received a wound by which the 
bones of his leg were badly fractured, and he was obliged 
to be carried oif the field. The wound was a formidable 
one, and the loss of his limb was for some time apprehended. 
He was for several months confined at Albany, and it be- 
came necessary to remove a considerable portion of the 
main bone before he was conveyed to his house at Hing- 
ham; and under this painful surgical operation, the writer 
of this being present, witnessed in him a degree of firm- 
ness and patience not to be exceeded. I have known him, 
says Colonel Kice, who was a member of his military 
family, during the most painful operation by the surgeon, 
while bystanders were frequently obliged to leave the room, 
entertain us with some pleasant anecdote, or story, and 
draw forth a smile from his friends. His wound continued 
several years in an ulcerated state, and by the loss of the 
bone the limb was shortened, which occasioned lameness 
during the remainder of his life. General Lincoln cer- 
tainly afforded very important assistance in the capture 
of Burgoyne, though it was his unfortunate lot, while in 
active duty, to be disabled before he could participate in 
the capitulation. Though his recovery was not complete, 
he repaired to head-quarters in the following August, and 
was joyfully received by the commander-in-chief, who well 



APPENDIX. 417 

knew how to appreciate his merit. It was from a devel- 
opment of his estimable character as a man, and his talent 
as a military commander, that he was designated by Con- 
gress for the arduous duties of the chief command in the 
southern department, under innumerable embarrassments. 
On his arrival at Charleston, December, 1778, he found 
that he had to form an army, to provide supplies, and to 
arrange the various departments, that he might be able to 
cope with an enemy consisting of experienced of&cers 
and veteran troops. This, it is obvious, required a man 
of superior powers, indefatigable perseverance, and uncon- 
querable energy. Had not these been his inherent quali- 
ties, Lincoln must have yielded to the formidable obstacles 
which opposed his progress. About the 28th of Decem- 
ber, General Prevost arrived with a fleet and about three 
thousand British troops, and took possession of Savannah, 
after routing a small party of Americans, under General 
Robert Howe. General Lincoln immediately put his troops 
in motion, and took post on the eastern side of the river, 
about twenty miles from the city ; but he was not in force 
to commence offensive operations till the last of February. 
In April, with the view of covering the upper part of 
Georgia, he marched to Augusta; after which Prevost, the 
British commander, crossed the river into Carolina, and 
marched for Charleston. General Lincoln, therefore, re- 
crossed the Savannah, and followed his route, and on his 
arrival near the city, the enemy had retired from before 
it during the previous night. A detachment of the enemy, 
supposed to be about six hundred men, under Lieutenant- 
Colonel Maitland, being posted at Stone-Ferry, where they 
had erected works for their defence, General Lincoln re- 
solved to attack them, which he did on the 19th of June. 
The contest lasted one hour and twenty minutes, in which 
he lost one hundred and sixty men killed and wounded, 
and the enemy suffered about an equal loss. Their works 
were found to be much stronger than had been represented, 
and our artillery proving too light to annoy them, and the 
enemy receiving a reinforcement, our troops were obliged 
to retire. 

The next event of importance which occurred with our 
general, was the bold assault on Savannah, in conjunction 
with the Count D'Estaing. General Prevost had again 



418 APPENDIX. 

possessed liimself of that city, and Count D'Estaing ar- 
rived with his fleet and armament in the beginning of 
September, 1779. Having landed nearly three thousand 
French troops, General Lincoln immediately united about 
one thousand men to his force. The prospect of success 
was highly flattering, but the enemy exerted all their ef- 
forts in strengthening their lines, and after the count had 
summoned the garrison, and while Prevost was about to 
arrange articles of capitulation, he received a reinforce- 
ment. It was now resolved to attempt the place by a 
regular siege, but various causes occasioned a delay of 
several days, and when it commenced, the cannonade and 
bombardment failed of producing the desired effect, and 
the short time allowed the count on our coast, was quite 
insufficient for reducing the garrison by regular approaches. 
The commanders concluded, therefore, to make an effort 
on the works by assault. On the 9th of October, in the 
morning, the troops were led on by D'Estaing and Lin- 
coln, united, while a column led by Count Dillon missed 
their route in the darkness, and failed of the intended co- 
operation. Amidst a most appalling fire of the covered 
enemy, the alUed troops forced the abatis, and planted two 
standards on the parapets. But being overpowered at the 
point of attack, they were compelled to retire; the French 
having seven hundred, the Americans two hundred and 
forty killed and wounded. The Count Pulaski, at the 
head of a body of our horse, was mortally wounded. 
General Lincoln next repaired to Charleston, and endeav- 
ored to put that city in a posture of defence, urgently re- 
questing of Congress a reinforcement of regular troops, and 
additional supplies, which were but partially complied 
with. In February, 1780, General Sir Henry Clinton ar- 
rived, and landed a formidable force in the vicinity ; and 
on the 10th of March encamped in front of the American 
lines at Charleston. Considering the vast superiority of 
the enemy, both in sea and land forces, it might be ques- 
tioned whether prudence and correct judgment would 
dictate an attempt to defend the city; it will not be sup- 
posed, however, that the determination was formed without 
the most mature deliberation, and for reasons perfectly 
justifiable. It is well known that the general was in con- 
tinual expectation of an augmentation of strength by rein- 



APPENDIX. 419 

forcements. On the 10th of April, the enemy having 
made some advances, summoned the garrison to an uncon- 
ditional surrender, which was promptly refused. A heavy 
and incessant cannonade was sustained on each side, till 
the 11th of May, when the besiegers had completed their 
third parallel line, and having made a second demand of 
surrender, a capitulation was agreed on. 

"Having received," says the general, "an address from 
the principal inhabitants, and from a number of the coun- 
try militia, desiring that I would accept the terms; and a 
request from the lieutenant-governor and council, that the 
negotiation might be renewed; the militia of the town 
having thrown down their arms; our provisions, saving a 
little rice, being exhausted; the troops on the line being 
worn down by fatigue, having for a number of da^'s been 
obliged to lay on the banquette ; our harbor closely blocked 
up; completely invested by land by nine thousand men 
at least, the flower of the British army, besides the large 
force they could at all times draw from the marine, and 
aided by a great number of blacks in their laborious em- 
ployments; the garrison at this time, exclusive of sailors, 
but little exceeding two thousand five hundred men, part 
of whom had thrown down their arms; the citizens in 
general discontented, the enemy being within twenty yards 
of our lines, and preparing to make a general assault by 
sea and land; many of our cannon dismounted, and others 
silenced for want of shot; a retreat being judged impracti- 
cable, and every hope of timely succor cut off, we were 
induced to offer and accede to the terms executed on the 
12th of May." It is to be lamented that, with all the 
judicious and vigorous efforts in his power, General Lin- 
coln was requited only by the frowns of fortune, whereas 
had he been successful in his bold enterprise and views, 
he would have been crowned with unfading laurels. But 
notwithstanding a series of disappointments and unfortu- 
nate occurrences, he was censured by no one, nor was his 
judgment or merit called in question. He retained his 
popularity and the confidence of the army, and was con- 
sidered as a most zealous patriot, and the bravest of sol- 
diers. "The motives and feelings that prompted General 
Lincoln rather to risk a siege than to evacuate Charleston 
were most honorable to him as a man and a soldier. There 



420 APPENDIX. 

was such a balance of reasons on the question, as under the 
existing circumstances should exempt his decision from 
blame or distrust. He could not calculate on the despond- 
ence and inactivity of the people who should come to his 
succor. The suspense and anxiety, the toil and hazard 
attending the siege, gave the fullest scope to his wisdom, 
patience and valor. His exertions were incessant. He 
was on the lines night and day, and for the last fortnight 
never undressed to sleep."* Notwithstanding this unfor- 
tunate termination of his command, so established was the 
spotless reputation of the vanquished general, that he con- 
tinued to enjoy the undiminished respect and confidence 
of the Congress, the army, and the commander-in-chieff 
" Great praise is due to General Lincoln," says Dr. Ramsay, 
"for his judicious and spirited conduct in baffling for three 
months the greatly superior force of Sir Henry Clinton and 
Admiral Arburthnot. Though Charleston and the South- 
ern army were lost, yet, by their long-protracted defence, 
the British plans were not only retarded but deranged, 
and North Carolina was saved for the remainder of the 
year 1780." 

General Lincoln was admitted to his parole, and in 
November following he was exchanged for Major-General 
Phillips, a prisoner of the convention of Saratoga. In 
the campaign of 1781, General Lincoln commanded a di- 
vision under Washington, and at the siege of Yorktown 
he had his full share of the honor of that brilliant and 
. auspicious event. The articles of capitulation stipulated 
for the same honor in favor of the surrendering army, as 
had been granted to the garrison of Charleston. General 
Lincoln was appointed to conduct them to the field where 
their arms were deposited, and received the customary 
submission. In the general order of the commander-in- 
chief the day after the capitulation, General Lincoln was 
among the general officers whose services were particularly 
mentioned. In October, 1781, he was chosen by Congress 
secretar}' at war, retaining his rank in the army. In this 
office he continued till October, 1783, when his proffered 
resignation was accepted by Congress as follows: 

* Notice of General Lincoln in the Collection of the Historical Society, 
vol. 3d, second series, from which I have made other extracts, 
f Lee's Memoirs of the War in the Southern Department. 



APPENDIX. 421 

^Resolved, That the resignation of Major-General Lincoln, as secre- 
tary of wiir for the United States, be accepted in consideration of the 
earnest desire which he expresses, the objects of the war being so hap- 
pily accomplished, to retire to private life, and that he be informed that 
the United States in Congress assembled entertain a high sense of his 
perseverance, fortitude, activity and meritorious services in the field, as 
well as of his diligence, fidelity and capacity in the execution of tlie office 
of secretary at war, which important trust he has discharged to their 
entire approbation." 

Having Telinquished the duties and cares of a public 
employment, be retired, and devoted his attention to his 
farm; but in 1784, he was chosen one of the commission- 
ers and agents on the part of the state to make and execute 
a treaty with the Penobscot Indians. When in the year 
1786-7, the authority of our state government was in a 
manner prostrated, and the country alarmed by a most 
audacious spirit of insurrection, under the guidance of 
Shays and Day, General Lincoln was appointed by the 
governor and council to command a detachment of militia, 
consisting of four or five thousand men, to oppose their 
progress, and compel them to a submission to the laws. 
He marched from Boston on the 20th of January, into the 
counties of Worcester, Hampshire, and Berkshire, where 
the insurgents had erected their standard. They were 
embodied in considerable force, and manifested a deter- 
mined resistance, and a slight skirmish ensued between 
them and a party of militia under General Shepherd. 
Lincoln, however, conducted with such address and energy, 
that the insurgents were routed from one town to another, 
till they were completely dispersed in all directions; and 
by his wise and prudent measures the insurrection was 
happily suppressed without bloodshed, excepting a few 
individuals wdio were slain under General Shepherd's 
command. At the May election, 1787, General Lincoln 
was elected lieutenant-governor by the legislature, having 
had a plurality of votes by the people. He was a mem- 
ber of the convention for ratifying the federal constitution, 
and in the summer of 1789, he received from President 
Washington the appointment of collector of the port of 
Boston, which ofl&ce he sustained till, being admonished 
by the increasing infirmities of age, he requested permis- 
sion to resign, about two years before his death. In 1789, 
he was appointed one of the commissioners to treat with 



422 ArPENDix. 

the Creek Indians on tlie frontiers of the Southern states, 
and in 1793 he was one of the commissioners to effect a 
peace with the AVestern Indians. The subject of this 
memoir received from the University of Cambridge the 
honorary degree of Master of Arts. He was one of the 
first members of the American Academy of Arts and 
Sciences, and a member of the Massachusetts Historical 
Society, and he contributed by his pen to the stock of 
useful materials for their respective publications. Having, 
after his resignation of the office of collector, passed about 
two years in retirement and in tranquillity of mind, but 
experiencing the feebleness of age, he received a short 
attack of disease, by which his honorable life was termin- 
ated on the 9th of May, 1810, aged 77 years. The follow- 
ing tribute is on the records of the society of Cincinnati : 

"At the annual meeting in July, 1810, Major-General John Brooks 
was chosen president of the society, to supply the place of our venerable 
and much-lamented president, General Benjamin Lincoln, who had pre- 
sided over the society from the organization thereof, in 1783, to the 9th 
of May, 1810, the day of his decease, with the entire approbation of 
every member, and the grateful tribute of his surviving comrades, for his 
happy guidance and alfectionate attentions during so long a period." 

General Lincoln in his very nature was unsusceptible 
of the spirit of envy. Whoever achieved a noble action 
to the honor and advantage of his country, whether as a 
patriot or soldier, was with him the man of merit and the 
theme of eulogy, though it might eclipse his own fame. 
He was universally respected as one of the best of men, 
of ardent patriotism, and of heroic courage. Major-Gen- 
eral Knox, whose candor and discriminating judgment no 
one will deny, was known to estimate next to Washington 
in military talents. Generals Greene and Lincoln. Colonel 
Nathan Rice, a respectable officer, who was a member of 
his military family, observes, that the sacrifice of as much 
domestic happiness as falls to the lot of men, to serve his 
country, would seem to place his patriotism beyond sus- 
picion. The firmness and zeal with which he rendered 
this service during her struggle, the coolness with which 
he met danger, his fortitude under bodily pain, privation 
and disappointments, and the confidence reposed in him by 
the commander-in-chief, all strongly evince that his coun- 
try had not misjudged in elevating him to the distinguished 



APPENDIX. 423 

rank he held in the army. While at Purysburgh, on the 
Savannah river, a soldier named Fickling, having been 
detected in frequent attempts to desert, was tried and sen- 
tenced to be hanged. The general ordered the execution. 
The rope broke; a second was procured, which broke 
also; the case was reported to the general for directions. 
"Let him run," said the general, "I thought he looked 
like a scape-gallows."* Regularity both in business and 
his mode of living were peculiar traits in his character; 
habitually temperate, and accustomed to sleep unconfined 
to time or place. In conversation he was always correct 
and chaste; on no occasion uttering any thing like pro- 
fanity or levity on serious subjects, and when others have 
indulged in these respects in his presence, it was ever re- 

* Mnjor Garden, in his Anecdotes of the American Rerolutinn, relates 
this story with some addition. It h-'ippt-i.t-d that as FickHng- was led to 
execution, the surgeon-general of the army passed accidentally on his 
way to his quarters, which were at some distance. When the second 
rope was procured, the adjutant of the regiment, a stout and heavy man, 
assayed by every means to break it, but without effect. Fickling was 
then haltered and again turned off, when, to the astonishment of the by- 
standers, the rope untwisted, and he fell a second time uninjured to the 
ground. A cry for mercy was now general throughout the ranks, wliich 
occasioned Major Ladson, aid-de-camp to General Lincoln, to gallop to 
head-quarters to make a representation of facts, which were no sooner 
stated than an immediate pardon was granted, accompanied with an or- 
der that he should instantaneously be drummed, with every mark of 
infiimy, out of camp, and threatened with instant death if he ever should 
be found attempting to approach it. In the interim, the surgeon-general 
had established himself at his quarters in a distant barn, little doubting 
but that the catastrophe was at an end, and Fickling quietly resting in 
his grave. Midnight was at hand, and he was busily engaged in writing, 
when, hearing the approach of a footstep, he raised his eyes, and saw 
with astonishment the figure of the man who had in his opinion been 
executed, slowly and with haggard countenance approaching towards 
him. "How! how is this?"' exclaimed the doctor; "whence come you? 
what do you want with me? were you not hanged this morning?"' 
"Yes, sir," replied the resuscitated man; "I am the wretch you saw 
going to the gallows, and who was hanged." "Keep your distance," 
said the doctor; "approach me not till you say why you come here." 
" Simply, sir," said the supposed spectre, " to solicit food. I am no 
ghost, doctor. The rope broke twice while the executioner was doing 
his office, and the general thought proper to pardon me." "If that 
be the case," rejoined the doctor, "eat and be welcome; but I beg of 
you in future to have a little more consideration, and not intrude so 
unceremoniously into the apartment of one who had every right to sup- 
pose you an inhabitant of the tomb." 



424 APPENDIX. 

ceived by him with such marked disapprobation of coun- 
tenance, as to draw from them an instantaneous apology, 
and regret for the offence. Having, while collector, ap- 
pointed a violent party-man to a place of profit merely 
from motives of benevolence, he had frequently, with 
many others, abused the general, calling him "a damned 
old rascal." On the first opportunity, the general said to 

him, "So Mr, , you say I am a damned old rascal; 

you might have spared the damned," without adding a 
word more; but it was expressed in a manner that pre- 
vented a reply; nor did he remove him from office. In 
the various characters of parent, husband and master, I 
ever held him up, says Colonel Rice, as a model of per- 
fection. The law of kindness ever dwelt on his tongue. 

This memoir will be concluded by some brief extracts 
from the Historical Collections: 

"In General Lincoln's eiiaraeter, strength and softness, the estimable 
and amiable qualities, were happily blended. His mind was quick and 
active, yet discriminating and sound. He displayed a fund of thought 
and information, derived from select though limited reading, from careful 
observation of men and things, from habits of thinking, and from con- 
versation. A degree of enthusiasm or exultation of feeling on the ob- 
jects of his pursuit belonged to his temperament, but it was under the 
control of good sense and sober views. He was patient and cool in 
deliberation ; in execution, prompt and vigorous. He was conspicuous 
for plain, strict, inflexible integrity, united, however, with prudence, can- 
dor, and a compassionate disposition. As a military commander, he was 
judicious, brave, determined, indefatigable. His distinguished merit in 
this character was never denied, while all have not agreed in opinion on 
some of his plans in the southern command. Being a soldier of the 
revolution, he had to anticipate the effect of experience, and might com- 
mit mistakes. He was surrounded by difficulties; he met extraordinary 
disappointments in his calculations of supplies and succors. In the 
piincipal instances which issued unfortunately, the storming of Savannah 
and the siege of Charleston, he had but a choice of evils; and whichever 
way he decided, the course rejected would have seemed to many persons 
more eligible. General Lincoln was a federalist of the Washington 
school. He experienced the benefit of his weight of character and the 
sense entertained by the community of his public services, in being suf- 
fered to retain his office of collector. 

"Religion exerted its full influence over the mind and conduct of 
General Lincoln. He was a Christian of the Anti-sectarian, Catholic, 
or liberal sect. He was firm in his faith, serious and affectionate in his 
piety, without superstition, fanaticism or austerity. He was from early 
manhood a communicant, and for a great part of his life a deacon of the 
church. He never shunned an avowal of his belief, nor feared to appear 
what he was, nor permitted the reality of his convictions to remain in 



APPENDIX. 425 

doubt. The person and air of General Lincoln betokened his military 
vocation. He was of middle lieight and erect, broad-chested and mus- 
cular, in his latter years corpulent, with open intelligent features, a ven- 
erable and benign aspect. His manners were easy and unaffected, but 
courteous and polite." 

In all his transactions, both public and private, his mind 
Avas elevated above all sordid or sinister views, and our 
history will not perhaps record many names more estima- 
ble than was that of General Lincoln. 



FREDERICK WILLIAM AUGUSTUS BARON DE STEUBEN, 

Knight of the Order of Fidelity in Germany, and Major-General in the 
^rmy of the United States. 

This highly distinguished personage was a Prussian 
officer, aid-de-camp to the great Frederick, and held the 
rank of lieutenant-general in the army of that consummate 
commander. He arrived in America December, 1777, 
and presented himself with his credentials to Congress, 
proffering his services in our army without any claim to 
rank, and requested permission only to render such assist- 
ance as might be in his power, in the character of a vol- 
unteer. In thus devoting himself to our cause, he made 
an immense sacrifice, by relinquishing his honorable sta- 
tion and emoluments in Europe. Congress voted him 
their thanks for his zeal and the disinterested tender of his 
services, and he joined the main army under General 
Washington at Valley Forge. His qualifications for a 
teacher of the system of military tactics were soon mani- 
fested; having for many years practised on the system 
which the king of Prussia had introduced into his own 
army. In May, 1778, by the strong recommendation of 
the commander-in-chief, Congress appointed him inspector- 
general with the rank of major-general. He commenced 
his duties as inspector, beginning with the officers, who 
were formed into separate bodies, frequently exercised and 
instructed in the various movements and evolutions, when 
manoeuvring battalions, brigades, or divisions of the army. 
He exerted all his powers for the establishment of a regu- 
lar system of discipline, economy, and uniformity among 
our heterogeneous bodies of soldiers. In the discharge of 
this duty, and to effect his favorite object, he encountered 



426 APPENDIX. 

obstacles to which a less zealous spirit would have yielded 
as insurmountable. By his superior talents, indefatigable 
industr}^, and perseverance, he rendered a service to our 
army, without which it could not have attained to a con- 
dition capable of achieving honor and glory in the face of 
European veteran troops. Charmed with the neat and 
soldierly appearance of those who had profited by his 
instructions and duly improved in the art of discipline, 
and equally detesting the soldier whose awkward and un- 
military conduct betrayed his negligence, there never was 
a review but the baron rewarded the one with more than 
praise, and censured the other, whether officer or soldier, 
with a severity equal to his deserts. While reviewing our 
regiment, he noticed in the ranks a very spruce young 
lad, handsomely formed, standing erect, with the air of a 
genteel soldier, his gun and equipments in perfect order. 
The baron, struck with his military apj)earance, patted him 
under his chin to elevate his head still more erect, viewed 
him with a smile, and said, "How long have you been a 
soldier? You are one pretty soldier in miniature. How 
old are you ?" " Seventeen, sir." " Have you got a wife ?" 
Then calling to the colonel, said, "Colonel Jackson, this 
is one fine soldier in miniature." 

The baron composed a complete system of exercise and 
discipline, which was approved by the commander-in- 
chief, and ordered by Congress to be published and adopted 
in our army. Colonel William North and Colonel Walker 
were aids-de-camp and members of his family, between 
whom there existed a mutual attachment and affection, 
pure as parent and sons.* The baron was distinguished 

* Colonel North at an early age volunteered his services in the bold 
and perilous enterprise undertaken by General Arnold in the autumn 
of 1775, to penetrate to Canada through the unexplored wilderness from 
Kennebec, and was among the miserable sufferers who appreliended the 
horrors of death in the wilderness. When Colonel Henry Jackson 
raised his regiment in the state of Massachusetts, this gentleman was 
commissioned as commander of a company in this regiment, in which 
he served with honor till he was appointed aid-de-camp to Baron Steu- 
ben. By the amiable qualities of his heart, his ingratiating and gentle- 
manly manners, he won the affection of the baron, by whom he was 
treated with the favor of an adopted son. After the close of the war 
he was appointed major-general of militia in the state of New York, 
and he has recently transferred his residence to New London, in Con- 
necticut. It is chiefly by the aid of his pen that I am enabled to furnish 
this tribute to the memory of his j ustly-celebrated patron. 



AITENDIX. 427 

for his adherence to the principles of political integrity 
and moral virtue. His heart was replete with generous 
sentiments and the purest benevolence. 

After General Arnold treacherously deserted his post 
at West Point, the baron never failed to manifest his in- 
dignation and abhorrence of his name and character, and 
while inspecting Colonel Sheldon's regiment of light-horse, 
the name of Arnold struck his ear. The soldier was or- 
dered to the front: he was a fine looking fellow; his horse 
and equipments in excellent order. "Change your name, 
brother-soldier ; you are too respectable to bear the name 
of a traitor." " What name shall I take, general ?" " Take 
any other name ; mine is at your service." Most cheer- 
fully was the offer accepted, and his name was entered on 
the roll as Steuben. He or his children now enjoy land 
given to him in the town of Steuben by the baron. This 
brave soldier met him after the war. "I am well settled, 
general," said he, "and have a wife and son ; I have called 
my son after you, sir." "I thank you, my friend. What 
name have you given the boy?" "I called him Baron — 
what else could I call him?" 

The baron's office as inspector did not preclude him the 
privilege of command in the line according to his rank, 
and at one period he was commander of a separate detach- 
ment in Virginia, to oppose the ravages of the enemy in 
that quarter. It was with great difficulty that men could 
be procured for the service ; every man was considered as 
an acquisition. The baron was too honest to suffer an 
imposition to be practised on the public. A regiment had 
been collected, and was paraded on the point of marching, 
when a well-looking man on horseback, and as it appeared 
his servant on another, rode up and informed the baron 
that he had brought him a recruit. "I thank you, sir," 
said the baron, "with all my heart; you have arrived in 
a happy moment. Where is your man, colonel?" — for he 
was colonel in the militia. "Here, sir," ordering his boy 
to dismount. The baron's countenance changed ; his aids 
saw and feared the approaching storm. A sergeant was 
ordered to measure the lad, whose shoes when off discov- 
ered something by which his stature had been increased. 
The baron, patting the child's head with his hand, trem- 
bling with rage, asked him how old he was? He was 
Gg 



428 



APPENDIX. 



very young — quite a child. "Sir," said he to the militia 
colonel, "3^ou must have supposed me to be a rascal." 
"Oh! no, baron, I did not." "Then, sir, I suppose you 
to be a rascal, an infamous rascal, thus to attempt to cheat 
your country. Sergeant, take off this fellow's spurs, and 
place him in the ranks, that we may have a man able to 
serve, instead of an infant whom he would basely have 
made his substitute! Go, my boy; take the colonel's 
spurs and horse to. his wife; make my compliments, and 
say, her husband has gone to fight for the freedom of his 
country, as an honest man should do!" And instantly 
ordered, "Platoons! to the right, wheel ! forward march!" 
Colonel Gaskins, who commanded the regiment, fearing 
the consequences, after marching some distance, allowed 
the man to escape, who immediately made application to 
the civil authority for redress; but Governor Jefferson, 
Mr. Madison, and others, not doubting the purity of the 
baron's motive, and fully appreciating his honest zeal, 
prevented any disagreeable results attending this high- 
handed exertion of military power. At the siege of 
Yorktown the baron was in the trenches at the head of 
his division, and received the first overture of Lord Corn- 
wallis to capitulate. At the relieving hour next morning, 
the Marquis de la Fayette approached at the head of his 
division, to relieve him. The baron refused to quit the 
trenches, assigning as a reason the etiquette in Europe, 
that the offer to capitulate had been made during his tour 
of duty, and that it was a point of honor of which he would 
not deprive his troops to remain in the trenches till the 
capitulation was signed or hostilities recommenced. The 
dispute was referred to the commander-in-chief, and the 
baron was permitted to remain till the British flag was 
struck. While on this duty the baron, perceiving himself 
in danger from a shell thrown from the enemy, threw 
himself suddenly into the trench ; General Wayne, in the 
jeopardy and hurry of the moment, fell on him ; the baron, 
turning his eyes, saw it was his brigadier. "I always 
knew you were brave, general," said he; "but I did not 
know you were so perfect in every point of duty: you 
cover your general's retreat in the best manner possible." 
"I have great delight," says Major Garden, "in relating 
an anecdote which I received from General Walter Stew- 



APPENDIX. iC- 429 

? ■" 
art; the truth of which may be relied on." After the 
capture of Yorktown, the superior officers of the allied 
army vied with each other in acts of civility and attention 
to the captive Britons. Lord Cornwallis and his family 
were particularly distinguished. Entertainments were 
given in succession by all the major-generals, with the 
exception of Baron Steuben. He alone withheld an in- 
vitation, not from a wish to be particular, nor that his 
heart was closed to the attentions due to misfortunes. His 
soul was superior to prejudice; and, as a soldier, he ten- 
derly sympathized in their fate, while poverty denied the 
means of displaying that liberality towards them which 
had been shown by others. Such was his situation, when, 
calling on Colonel Stewart, and informing him of his in- 
tention to entertain the British commander-in-chief, he 
requested that he would advance him a sum of money as 
the price of his favorite charger. '"Tis a good beast," 
said the baron, "and has proved a faithful servant through 
all the dangers of the war; but, though painful to my 
heart, we must part." Colonel Stewart, to prevent a step 
that he knew must be attended with great loss, and still 
greater inconvenience, immediately tendered his purse, 
recommending, should the sum it contained prove insuffi- 
cient, the sale or pledge of his watch. "My dear friend," 
said the baron, "'tis already sold. Poor North was sick, 
and wanted necessaries. He is a brave fellow, and pos- 
sesses the best of hearts. The trifle it brought is set apart 
for his use. My horse must go; so no more, I beseech 
you, to turn me from my purpose. I am a major-general 
in the service of the United States, and my private con- 
venience must not be put in the scale with the duty which 
my rank calls on me imperiously to perform." A very 
friendly intercourse subsisted between the officers of the 
French army and those of our own, and dining invitations 
could not always be reciprocated on our part for want of 
the means. "I can stand it no longer," said the baron; 
"we are continually dining with these gentlemen, and such 
is our penur}'^ that, except at head-quarters, they receive 
no invitations in return. "Take," said he to one of his 
people, "take the silver spoons and forks, and sell them; 
it is not republican to eat with silver forks, and it is the 
part of a gentleman to pay his debts. They shall have 



430 



APPENDIX. 



one good dinner, if I eat my soup witli a wooden spoon 
for ever after." 

The baron returned to the northward, and remained 
with the army, continually employed till the peace in per- 
fecting his discipline. The adroitness, and, above all, the 
silence with which his manoeuvres were performed, was 
remarked with astonishment by the officers of the French 
army. The Marquis de la Val de Montmorency, a briga- 
dier-general, said to the baron, "I admire the celerity and 
exactitude with which your men perform, but what I can- 
not conceive is the profound silence with which they 
manoeuvre." " I don't know, Monsieur le Marquis, whence 
noise should proceed, when even my brigadiers dare not 
open their mouths but to repeat the orders." 

The French troops were exceedingly loud in their evo- 
lutions and marches, and Mons. la Val at all times louder 
than the rest. On a subsequent occasion, designed to 
show the high degree of expertness at which our officers 
and soldiers had arrived, the baron was asked by one of 
the French generals what manoeuvres he intended to per- 
form. On being informed, "Yes," replied the French 
chief, "I have seen particularly the last you mention per- 
formed by the Prussians in Silesia, but with a very complex 
addition," which heexplained. "But you will recollect, 
general, that we are not quite Prussians." After his guests 
had retired, the baron said, "I will let these Frenchmen 
know that we can do what the Prussians can, and what 
their army cannot do. I will save those gentlemen who 
have not been in Silesia the trouble of going there; they 
may come to Verplank's Point next week for instruction." 
They came, chiefs and subalterns, and every thing was 
done in the finest style, to their real or pretended admira- 
tion. Here General North indulges his honorable feelings 
in the following apostrophe : " Alas ! when I think of time 
past, of that day, and look to that eminence on which 
General Washington's marquee was pitched, in front of 
which stood that great man, firm in the consciousness of 
virtue, surrounded by French nobles and the chiefs of his 
own army; when I cast my eyes, then lighted up with 
soldierly ambition, hope and joy, along that lengthened 
line, my brothers all! endeared by ties made strong by 
full communion in many a miserable, many a joyous hour, 



APPENDIX. 43X 

my heart sinks at the view ! Who, how few of all that 
brilliant host, is left; these few are tottering on the con- 
fines of the grave ! The baron's tent that day was filled, 
and more than filled, with F'renchmen. 'I am glad,' said 
he, 'to pay some part of the dinner debt we owe our 
allies.' " " On the eve of returning to the northward from 
Virginia," continues General North, "I was sick, and un- 
able to accompany the baron: he divided his purse with 
me, the whole contents of which were two half-joes; his 
watch and silver spoons and forks, brought from Germany, 
were already disposed of 'I must go,' said the baron; 'I 
must leave you, my son; but I leave you among a people 
where we have found the door of every house wide open ; 
where the heart of every female is full of tenderness and 
virtue. Quit this deleterious spot, the instant you are 
able; there is my sulkey, and here is half of what I have. 
God bless you! I can no more.' Nor could he: the feel- 
ings of friends in such a moment, and under such circum- 
stances, may possibly be conceived, but not expressed. A 
journey of three hundred miles was before him; a single 
piece of gold in his purse. Are other instances necessary 
to unfold the texture of his heart? — how many have I 
written on my own ! There is, I trust, a book in which 
they, every one of them, are entered, to the credit of his 
account with Heaven." 

General Washington had a high esteem for the baron, 
and was fully sensible of his worth and merits. On all 
proper occasions Congress were urged in his behalf, and 
from time to time he received of money, good and bad, 
sums which some narrow-minded men thought much too 
large, though he proved satisfactorily that he had given 
up a salary of five hundred and eighty guineas a year in 
Europe. But what sums — how much — could have been 
enough for one who searched around for worthy objects, 
whose wants might be relieved? "Never did a review or 
an inspection pass without rewards in money to soldiers 
whose arms were in the highest order. Never was his 
table unfilled with guests if furnished with provisions. 
Officers of rank, men most prominent for knowledge and 
attention to their duty, were marked for invitation ; but the 
gentlemen of his family were desired to complete the list 



432 APPENDIX. 

with others of inferior grade. ' Poor fellows,' said he, ' they 
have field officers' stomachs, without their rations.'" 

The baron was rough as the ocean in a storm when great 
faults were committed; but if, in a sudden gust of passion, 
he had injured, the redress was ample. I recollect that at 
a review near Morristown, a Lieutenant Gibbons, a brave 
and good officer, was arrested on the spot, and ordered 
into the rear, for a fault which it afterwards appeared an- 
other had committed. At a proper moment, the com- 
mander of the regiment came forward, and informed the 
baron of Mr. Gibbons' innocence, of his worth, and of 
his acute feelings under this unmerited disgrace. "Desire 
Lieutenant Gibbons to come to the front, colonel." "Sir," 
said the baron, to the young gentleman, "the fault which 
was made, by throwing the line into confusion, might, in 
the presence of an enemy, have been fatal. I arrested 
you as its supposed author, but I have reason to believe 
that I was mistaken, and that in this instance you were 
blameless; I ask your pardon: return to your command; 
I would not deal unjustly by any, much less by one whose 
character as an officer is so respectable." All this passed 
with the baron's hat off, the rain pouring on his venerable 
head! — Do you think there was an officer, a soldier who 
saw it, unmoved by affection and respect? Not one. 

In the company of ladies, the baron always appeared 
to peculiar advantage. At the house of the respectable 
Mrs. Livingston, mother of the late Chancellor, where 
virtue, talent, and modest worth of every kind met a wel- 
come reception, the baron was introduced to a Miss Sheaf, 
an amiable and interesting young lady. "I am very hap- 
py," said he, "in the honor of being presented to you, 
mademoiselle, though I see it is at an infinite risk; I have 
from my youth been cautioned to guard myself against 
mischiefs but I had no idea that her attractions were so 
powerful," 

Dining at head-quarters with Eobert Morris, Esq., and 
other gentlemen, Mr. Morris complained bitterly of the 
miserable state of the treasury. "Why," said the baron, 
"are you not financier? — why do you not continue to 
create funds?" "I have done all I can; it is not possible 
for me to do more." "But you remain financier, though 
without finances?" "Yes." "Well, then, I do not think 



APPENDIX. 433 

you are so honest a man as my cook. He came to me 
one day at Valley Forge, and said, 'Baron, I am your 
cook, and you have nothing to cook but a piece of lean 
beef, which is hung up by a string before the fire. Your 
negro wagoner can turn the string and do as well as I can. 
You have promised me ten dollars a month ; but as you 
have nothing to cook, I wish to be discharged, and not 
longer be chargeable to you,' That is an honest fellow, 
Morris." 

Though never perfectly master of our language, the 
baron understood and spoke it with sufficient correctness. 
He would sometimes on purpose miscall names, and blend 
or adopt words similar in sound, dissimilar in meaning. 
Dining at head-quarters, which he did frequently, Mrs. 
Washington asked what amusement he had recourse to 
now that the certainty of peace had relaxed his labors? 
"I read, my lady, and write, and chess, and yesterday for 
the first time I went a fishing. My gentlemen told me it 
was a very fine business to catch fish, and I did not know 
but that this new trade might, by and by, be useful to me 
— but I fear I never can succeed — I sat in the boat three 
hours, it was exceedingly warm, and I caught only two 
fish ; they told me it was fine sport." " What kind of fish 
did you take, baron?" "I am not sure, my lady, but I 
believe one of them was a whale." " A whale, baron, in 
the North river!" "Yes, I assure you, a very fine whale, 
my lady; — it was a whale, was it not?" appealing to one 
of his aids. "An eel, baron." "I beg your pardon, my 
lady, but that gentleman certainly told me it was a whale." 
General Washington, now that his mind was comparatively 
at ease, enjoyed a pleasantry of this kind highly. 

For the proper understanding of the following bon mot 
of General Washington, it must be mentioned that at 
Tatawa falls there was a miserable, deformed object, who 
had lain in his cradle for twenty-seven years. His head 
was eighteen inches in length, and the rest of his body 
twenty-seven inches. He received numerous visitors, 
among whom was his excellency, who asked him whether 
he was a whig or tory? He answered, as he had been 
taught, that he had never taken an active part on either side* 
"A worthy gentleman and lady came out of New York 
* See page 204 of this volume. 



434 APPENDIX. 

after the preliminaries of peace were signed, to visit their 
friends, and resided in the neighborhood of Baron Steuben, 
by whom the whole party, together with his excellency 
and lady, were invited to dine. 'It is proper,' said the 
baron, ' that your excelkncy should be apprised that Mr. 

and his lady from New York are to dine with me, 

and perhaps, sir, you may not choose to meet Mr. .' 

' Oh, baron,' said the general, laughing, ' there is no difficulty 

on that point. Mr. is very like the big-headed boy at 

Tatawa, he never has taken an active part.'' This was allowed 
to be a most adroit coup de sabre by those who knew the 
gentleman, though it is doubted whether, if he had heard 
it, he would have felt the stroke." 

"At the disbandment of the revolutionary army, when 
inmates of the same tent, or hut, for seven long years, 
were separating, and probably for ever; grasping each 
other's hand, in silent agon_y, I saw the baron's strong — 
endeavors to throw some ray of sunshine on the gloom 
to mix some drop of cordial with the painful draught. To 
go, they knew not whither; all recollection of the art to 
thrive by civil occupations lost, or to the youthful never 
known. Their hard-earned military knowledge worse 
than useless, and with their badge of brotherhood, a mark 
at which to point the finger of suspicion — ignoble, vile 
suspicion ! — to be cast out on a world, long since by them 
forgotten. Severed from friends, and all the joys and 
griefs which soldiers feel! Griefs while hope remained — 
when shared by numbers, almost joys! To go in silence 
and alone, and poor and hopeless; it was too hard! On 
that sad day, how many hearts were wrung! I saw it 
all, nor will the scene be ever blurred or blotted from my 
view. To a stern old officer, a Lieutenant-Colonel Coch- 
ran, from the Green Mountains, who had met danger and 
difficulty almost in every step from his youth, and from 
whose furrowed visage a tear till that moment had never 
fallen ; the good baron said — what could be said to lessen 
deep distress. 'For myself,' said Cochran, 'I care not — I 
can stand it; but my wife and daughters are in the garret 
of that wretched tavern. I know not where to remove, 
nor have I means for their removal!' 'Come, my friend,' 
said the baron, 'let us go — I will pay my respects to Mrs. 
Cochran and your daughters, if you please.' I followed 



APPENDIX. 435 

to the loft, the lower rooms being all filled with soldiers, 
with drunkenness, despair and blasphemy. And when the 
baron left the poor unhappy cast-away s, he left hope with 
them, and all he had to give." "A black man, with 
wounds unhealed, wept on the wharf (for it was at New- 
burgh where this tragedy was acting) : there was a vessel in 
the stream, bound to the place where he once had friends. 
He had not a dollar to pay his passage, and he could not 
walk. Unused to tears, I saw them trickle down this good 
man's cheeks as he put into the hands of the black man 
the last dollar he possessed. The negro hailed the sloop, 
and cried, 'God Almighty bless you, master baron!' 

"What good and honorable man, civil or military, be- 
fore the accursed party-spirit murdered friendships, did 
not respect and love the baron? Who most? Those who 
knew him best. After the peace, the baron retired to a 
farm in the vicinity of New York, where, with forming a 
system for the organization and discipline of the militia, 
books, chess, and the frequent visits of his numerous 
friends, he passed his time as agreeably as a frequent want 
of funds would permit. The state of New Jersey had 
given him a small improved farm, and the state of New 
York gave him a tract of sixteen thousand acres of land 
in the county of Oneida. After the general government 
was in full operation, by the exertions of Colonel Hamil- 
ton, patronized and enforced by President Washington, a 
grant df two thousand five hundred dollars per annum 
was made to him for life. The summers were now chiefly 
spent on his land, and his winters in the city. His sixteen 
thousand acres of land were in the uncultivated wilder- 
ness; he built a convenient log house, cleared sixty acres, 
parceled out his land on easy terms to twenty or thirty 
tenants, distributed nearly a tenth of the tract in gifts to 
his aids-de-camp and servants, and sat himself down to a 
certain degree contented without society, except that of a 
young gentleman, who read to and with him. He ate 
only at dinner, but he ate with strong appetite. In drink- 
ing, he was always temperate; indeed, he was free from 
every vicious habit. His powers of mind and body were 
strong, and he received to a certain extent a liberal edu- 
cation. His days were undoubtedly shortened by his 
sedentary mode of life. He was seized with an apoplexy, 



436 



APPENDIX. 



which in a few hours was fatal. Agreeably to his desire, 
often expressed, he was wrapped in his cloak, placed in a 
plain coffin, and hid in the earth, without a stone to tell 
where he lies. A few neighbors, his servants, the young 
gentleman his late companion, and one on whom for fifteen 
years his countenance never ceased to beam with kindness, 
followed to the grave. It was in a thick, a lonely wood; 
but, in a few years after, a public highway was opened 
near or over the hallowed sod ! Colonel Walker snatched 
the poor remains of his dear friend from sacrilegious vio- 
lation, and gave a bounty to protect the grave in which 
he laid them from rude and impious intrusion. He died 
in 1795, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. 

"Some few years previous to the baron's death, a pious 
gentleman of the city of New York, who had a great af- 
fection for him, told me, with strong marks of joy, that 
they had passed the evening and a part of the last night 
together; that the baron confessed his full belief in Jesus 
Christ, with sure and certain hope, through him, of a 
blessed immortality. 'From the life our dear friend has 
led, in camps and in the gay world,' said the good man, 
'I feared; and you do not know what joy I feel, in the 
belief that he will be well to all eternity !' The baron was 
a member of the Eeformed German Church, in New York." 

General North, from the impulse of his own affectionate 
and grateful feelings, erected a handsome monument with 
an appropriate inscription in the Reformed German Church 
in New York to the memory of his illustrious patron and 
friend, and these pages accord with the views of that me- 
morial in transmitting to posterity a renowned hero, whose 
name and invaluable labors should never be forgotten. 

What remained of the baron's estate, excepting one 
thousand dollars and his library, which he willed to a 
youth whose father had rendered essential service in the 
war, and whose education he generously charged him- 
self with, was bequeathed to his two affectionate aids- 
de-camp. 



APPENDIX. 4.37 



MARaUIS DE lA FAYETTE, MAJOR-GENERAL. 

The name and character of this illustrious French no- 
bleman, will occupy a conspicuous place in our revolu- 
tionary annals, and be honored by posterity, no less for 
his enthusiastic love of liberty, than for his heroism and 
military renown. There is something truly romantic in 
the history of this celebrated personage. In the year 
1776, at the immature age of nineteen, he espoused the 
cause of the Americans, and nobly resolved to aflbrd our 
country all possible assistance by his personal services and 
influence. At this era the aftairs of America were bor- 
dering on despair, and were represented in France as so 
deplorable that it might be supposed sufficient to repress 
the most determined zeal. Reports were propagated in 
that country that our army, reduced to a mere rabble, was 
flying before an army of thirty thousand regulars, nor was 
this very wide from the reality. In consequence of this, 
our commissioners found it impossible to procure a ves- 
sel to convey the marquis and their own despatches to 
Congress; they could not therefore feel justified in en- 
couraging his bold contemplated enterprise. This embar- 
rassment, however, had the effect of increasing rather than 
of restraining his youthful ardor and heroism. He im- 
parted to the commissioners his determination to purchase 
and fit out a vessel to convey himself and their despatches 
to America. This project was deemed so extraordinary 
and important, that it did not fail to engage universal at- 
tention. The French court had not then declared even a 
friendly intention towards America, but, on the contrary, 
was extremely cautious of giving offence to the British 
government. Orders were therefore given prohibiting the 
departure of this nobleman, and vessels were even de- 
spatched to the West Indies to intercept him, in case he 
should take that route. The marquis was well apprised 
that he exposed himself to the loss of his fortune by the 
laws of France; and that, should he fall into the hands of 
the English on his passage, he would be liable to a con- 
finement of uncertain duration, and without a prospect of 
being exchanged. These considerations however, did not 
deter him from the attempt; and, bidding adieu to his 



438 APPENDIX. 

amiable consort and numerous endearecr connexions, and 
trusting to good fortune to favor his elopement, he em- 
barked, and in due time arrived safe in Charleston, in the 
summer of 1776. He landed soon after the noble defence 
made by General Moultrie at the fort on Sullivan's island. 
Charmed with the gallantry displayed by that general and 
his brave troops, the marquis presented him with clothing, 
arms and accoutrements for one hundred men. He met 
with a cordial reception from our Congress, and they im- 
mediately accepted his proftered services. He insisted that 
he would receive no compensation, and that he would 
commence his services as a volunteer. This noble phil- 
anthropist was received into the family of the commander- 
in-chief, where a strong mutual attachment was contracted, 
and he has often been called the adopted son of Washing- 
ton. July 81st, 1777, Congress resolved, that, "Whereas 
the Marquis de la Fayette, out of his great zeal to the cause 
of liberty in which the United States are engaged, has left 
his family and connexions, and at his own expense come 
over to offer his services to the United States without 
pension or particular allowance, and is anxious to risk his 
life in our cause — Resolved^ That his service be accepted, 
and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family 
and connexions, he have the rank and commission of 
major-general in the army of the United States." 

At the battle of Brandy wine, September, 1777, the mar- 
quis exhibited full proof of his undaunted bravery and 
military character, and received a wound in his leg. In 
May, 1777, with a select corps of two thousand five hun- 
dred men, he crossed the Schuylkill, and took post about 
twelve miles in front of our army at Valley Forge. A 
Quaker, in whose house he was to lodge, sent information 
to the enemy, who formed an instantaneous design of 
surprising him. General Gray, on the night of the 19th 
of May, marched with seven thousand men, and by a 
skillful movement got into the marquis' rear, while another 
detachment was advancing to his front. The marquis 
fortunately gained intelligence of their approach, and by 
a prompt decision effected his retreat, and recrossed the 
river in season to defeat the design of the enemy. Plad 
they succeeded, it must not only have proved fatal to the 
marquis and his detachment, but placed the remainder of 



APPENDIX. 439 

our army in a situation of extreme hazard. In August, 
1778, the marquis repaired to Khode Island, to assist in 
the expedition under Major-General Sullivan, in conjunc- 
tion with the French fleet, and he received the particular 
approbation and applause of Congress for his judicious and 
highly important services. In January, 1779, the marquis 
embarked at Boston, on a voyage to France, and was sub- 
jected to imminent danger from a conspiracy among the 
sailors, a great part of whom were British. He returned 
in May, 1780, bringing the joyful intelligence that a French 
fleet and army would soon arrive on our coast. Through 
his great zeal for the cause of the United States, he exerted 
his influence with his government, no longer fearful of 
giving offence to the English, to afford money and troops 
and other important succors. He was soon put at the 
head of a select corps of light-infantry for the service of 
the campaign. This afforded him a new opportunity for 
the display of his munificence. He presented to every 
officer under his command an elegant sword, and his sol- 
diers were clothed in uniform, principally at his expense. 
He infused into this corps a spirit of pride and emulation, 
viewing it as one formed and modeled according to his 
own wishes, and as deserving his highest confidence. They 
"were the pride of his heart and he the idol of their regard ; 
constantly panting for an opportunity of accomplishing 
some signal achievement worthy of his and their character. 
This corps was pronounced equal to any that could be pro- 
duced in any country. In December, 1780, he marched 
with one thousand two hundred light-infantry for Virginia, 
to counteract the devastations of Arnold and Phillips. He 
made a forced march of two hundred miles, and prevented 
General Phillips' possessing himself of Richmond, and se- 
cured the stores of that place. At one period there was 
not a single pair of shoes in his whole command, and such 
was his zeal and generous spirit, and such the confidence 
and respect of the people, that he was enabled to borrow 
of the merchants of Baltimore two thousand guineas on 
his own credit, with which he purchased shoes and other 
necessary articles for his troops. The marquis was em- 
ployed in watching the motions of Lord Cornwallis in 
Virginia, with an inferior force; in this arduous duty he 
displayed the judgment, skill, and prudence of a veteran, 



440 APPENDIX. 

with the ardor of youth. In a skirmish near Jamestown, 
not a man in the whole detachment was more exposed, 
and one of his horses was killed. 

Lord Cornwallis having encamped near Jamestown, the 
Marquis La Fa3^ette sent General Wayne with the Penn- 
sylvania troops to take their station within a small distance 
of the British army, and watch their motions. The two 
advanced parties were soon engaged, and General Wayne 
drove that of the enemy back to their lines; and, without 
stopping there, attacked the whole British army, drawn 
up in Older of battle, and charged them with bayonets. 
The action was extremely severe for the little time it 
lasted, but the disproportion of numbers was so great, that 
the enemy was on the point of surrounding our troops, 
when the marquis arrived in person, just time enough to 
order a retreat, by which they were rescued from their 
hazardous situation, after suftering considerable loss. 

General Henry Lee, in his Memoirs of the War in the 
Southern States, eulogizes the character and conduct of La 
Fayette, when compelled to fly before the British com- 
mander, in the following language: 

"In this period of gloom, of disorder and of peril, La Fayette was col- 
lected and undismayed. With zeal, with courage, and with sagacity, lie 
discharged his arduous duties; and, thronghont his difficult retreat, was 
never brougiit even to array but once in order for battle. — Invigorating 
our councils by his precepts; dispelling our despondency by his exam- 
ple; and encouraging his troops to submit to their many privations, by 
the cheerfulness with which he participated in their wants ; he imparted 
the energy of his own mind to the country, and infused his high-toned 
spirit into the army." 

Great encomiums were passed on the marquis for his 
humanity and goodness in visiting and administering to 
the relief of the wounded soldiers. Lord Cornwallis hav- 
ing received a reinforcement, was so confident of success 
against his young antagonist, that he imprudently said in 
a letter which was intercepted, "<Ae boy cannot escape me." 
He planned the surprise of the marquis while on the same 
side of James river with himself; but in this he was baffled 
by means of a spy, whom the marquis sent into the enemy's 
camp to obtain some necessary intelligence.* A combina- 
tion of talents and skill defeated all the energies of physical 
power. During the siege of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, 
* See page 300 of this volume, for further particulars. 




OEJVERJlL JOHJ^ STARK. P. 451, 




OEJ^ERAL HORATIO GATES. P. 443. 



APPENDIX. 4.4.1 

the marquis was among the most active and intrepid of 
the general officers, and he commanded a detachment of 
our light-infantry, which successfully assaulted the British 
redoubt on the right of our lines. Previous to his de- 
parture from Yorktown, he issued his last orders to his 
favorite corps of infantry, in which are contained the fol- 
lowing expressions: 

"In the moment the major-general leaves this place, he wishes once 
more to express his gratitude to the brave corps of light-infantry, who 
for nine months past have been the companions of his fortunes. He 
will never forget that, with them alone, of regular troops, he had the 
good fortune to manoeuvre before an army which after all its reductions 
is still six times superior to the regular force he had at that time." 

The marquis now perceiving that the mighty contest 
for American independence, in which he had been so 
nobly engaged, was near its completion, was about to re- 
turn with the well-earned laurels on his brow to his king 
and country. Congress resolved, November 23d, 1781, 
" that major-general the Marquis de la Fayette be informed 
that on a review of his conduct throughout the past cam- 
paign, and particularly during the period in which he had 
the chief command in Virginia, the many new proofs which 
present themselves of his zealous attachment to the cause 
he has espoused, and of his judgment, vigilance, gallantry 
and address in its defence, have greatly added to the high 
opinion entertained by Congress of his merit and military 
talents." During his military career in America, the mar- 
quis displayed that patriotism, integrity, humanity, and 
every other virtue which characterize real greatness of 
soul. His manners being easy, affable and engaging, he 
was particularly endeared to the officers and soldiers under 
his command ; they admired, loved, and revered him as 
their guide and support when in peril, and their warmest 
friend when in perplexity and trouble. The most affection- 
ate attachment subsisted between him and the illustrious 
chief under whose banners it was his delight to serve, and 
whose language was, "This nobleman unites to all the mil- 
itary fire of youth, an uncommon maturity of judgment." 

His very soul burned with the spirit of enterprise, and he 

manifested a disinterestedness and devotion to the cause of 

freedom, ever to be admired and applauded by a grateful 

people. He ever discovered, both in design and execution, 

Hh 



442 APPENDIX. 

those traits of genius, and that intuitive knowledge of 
tactics, which designate the great man and the successful 
warrior. The people of the United States are fully ap- 
prised of their high obligations to him, and their history 
will transmit the name of La Fayette with grateful ac- 
knowledgments to the latest posterity. It is gratifying to 
learn that Congress granted him a valuable tract of land, 
as a compensation in part for his disinterested patriotism 
and important services. 

When in December, 1784, the marquis was about to 
take his final departure from America, Congress appointed 
a committee, consisting of one member from each state, 
to receive him, and in the name of Congress to take leave 
of him in such manner as might strongly manifest their 
esteem and regard for him. That they be instructed to 
assure him that Congress continue to entertain the same 
high sense of his abilities and zeal to promote the welfare 
of America, both here and in Europe, which they have 
frequently expressed and manifested on former occasions. 
That the United States regard him with particular affec- 
tion, and will not cease to feel an interest in whatever may 
concern his honor and prosperity, and that their best and 
kindest wishes will always attend him. Congress resolved 
also that a letter be written to his Most Christian Majesty, 
expressive of the high sense which the United States, in 
Congress assembled, entertain of the zeal, talents, and 
meritorious services of the Marquis de la Fayette, and 
recommending him to the favor and patronage of his 
majesty. The marquis made a very respectful and affec- 
tionate reply, in which he expressed the lively feelings of 
a heart devoted to the welfare of our rising empire, and 
gratefully acknowledged that, at a time when an inexpe- 
rienced youth, he was favored with his respected friend's 
paternal adoption. He thus concludes his address: 

" May this immense temple of freedom ever stand as a lesson to op- 
pressors, an example to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights of 
mankind ; and may these happy United States attain that complete 
splendor and prosperity which will illustrate the blessings of their gov- 
ernraent, and for ages to come rejoice the departed souls of its founders. 
Never can Congress oblige me so much as when they put it in my power 
in every part of the world to the latest day of my life to gratity the 
attachment which will ever rank me among the most zealous and re- 
spectful servants of the United States." 



APPENDIX. 



443 



MAJOR-GENERAL HORATIO GATES. 

General Gates was a native of England, and was 
educated to the military profession. He was an officer 
under the unfortunate Braddock, in the expedition against 
Fort du Quesne, in the year 1755, and who, after receiving 
a dangerous wound, was, with the illustrious Washington, 
among the few officers who escaped with life on that mem- 
orable occasion. When the American colonies were forced 
to assume a hostile attitude. Gates had been for some time 
a resident in Virginia, and having evinced his zeal and 
attachment to the violated rights of his adopted country, 
and sustaining a high military reputation, he was by Con- 
gress appointed adjutant-general, with the rank of brig- 
adier, and he accompanied General Washington to our 
camp at Cambridge, in July,1775. On the retreat of our 
forces from Canada, the chief command in that department 
was conferred on him in June, 1776. He continued the 
retreat of our army from Crown Point to Ticonderoga, 
which did not fully accord with the views of Congress 
and the commander-in-chief The British forces having 
retired to winter-quarters in Canada, Gates marched with 
a detachment of his command, and joined the main army 
in Jersey, in the autumn of that year. His sphere of 
action was not brilliant or splendid, till his mighty achieve- 
ment in the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga; nor is he 
justly and exclusively entitled to the full measure of ap- 
plause acquired by that most glorious victory ; the mag- 
nanimous General Schuyler,* whom he superseded in 
command, had, by his indefatigable industry, and almost 
unprecedented labors, raised the most formidable impedi- 
ments to the march of Burgoyne, which tended more than 
is generally imagined to facilitate the conquest made by 
the northern army. 

* Major-General Philip Schuyler. — It has been observed that 
neither history'nor biograpliy has rendered justice to this highly-nieritori- 
ous character. He possessed a clear understanding, a strong mind, a 
humane and generous disposition. No individual could have contrittuted 
more largely, by his vigilance and efficiency, to augment the obstacles to 
the march of the British army to Fort Edward. His name sliould be 
enrolled with the renowned band of military patriots and heroes, that 
posterity may know the eminent services which his splendid talents con- 
ferred on his country. 



444 APPENDIX. 

When General Gates succeeded to the command of the 
northern army, August, 1777, Generals Schuyler and St. 
Clair were suffering, though most unjustly, the public 
odium by the evacuation of Ticonderoga, and their suc- 
cessor in command was in high repute and confidence with 
his ofiicers and soldiers. Burgoyne's right wing, under 
St. Leger, had been cut off at Fort Stanwix, and his left 
at Bennington, by General Stark. Our army was daily 
increasing in numbers, and considerably exceeded the 
strength of the enemy, and our troops were greatly invig- 
orated with courage, and determined on victory. Every 
circumstance, in fact, was auspicious to a successful issue. 
Burgoyne still perceived that, in proportion as he advanced, 
obstacles multiplied on every side. Havmg at length 
surmounted almost insuperable difficulties, he passed the 
Hudson, and advanced to Saratoga. Gates also advanced 
to Stillwater, and boldly faced his formidable foe; and on 
the 19th of September a sanguinary conflict ensued. Both 
parties firm and unyielding, both attained the high honors 
of the brave, but neither bore the palm of a complete 
victory from the field. While Burgoyne's loss was irre- 
trievable, the force and the ardor of his antagonist were 
continually augmenting. Every day's delay now increased 
the heavy embarrassments of Burgoyne, while time threw 
additional advantages into the hands of his spirited oppo- 
nent; till at length it became obvious that retreat or vic- 
tory was his unavoidable alternative; but, on trial, it was 
proved, to his utter dismay, that neither resource was at 
his command. On the 7th of October, the two opposing 
armies rushed again to the field of slaughter, and both 
were satiated with blood and carnage. The British army 
were repulsed in every direction, and its commander was 
led to the painful conviction that a more disastrous fate 
awaited him. Burgoyne, now driven to the brink of des- 
pair — his forces disabled, his provisions exhausted, and a 
victorious adversary opposing him in front — resolved on 
a rapid retreat, but on exploring the route, behold, his 
adversary was there! 

The dreaded crisis had now arrived, when a capitulation 
was alone practicable. Articles not very dishonorable to 
the vanquished enemy were acceded to, and General Gates 
enjoyed the ineffable satisfaction of receiving in submission 



APPENDIX. Mo 

the once-victorious chief. To the honor of General Gates, 
it is mentioned that the captured troops were directed to a 
sequestered spot to ground their arms, that their feelings 
might not be wounded in the presence of our army, though 
it deprived the latter of a satisfaction in which they were 
justly entitled to participate. An interesting narrative 
of the first interview between the victor and the captured 
officers is thus given by Adjutant-General Wilkinson: 

"General Burgoyne proposed to be introdueed to General Gates, and 
we crossed the Fishkill, and proceeded to he:id-quarters on horseback, 
General Burgoyne in front with his Adjutant-Genera! Kingston, and his 
aids-de-camp, Captain Lord Petersham and Lieutenant Wilford, behind 
liim; then t'oliowed Major-General Phillips, the Baron Reidesel, and the 
other general officers and their suites according to rank. General Gates, 
advised of Burgoyne's approach, met him at the head of his camp — Bur- 
goyne in a ricii royal uniform, and Gates in a plain blue frock. When 
tiiey approached nearly within sword's length, they reined up and halted. 
I then named the gentlemen, and General Burgoyne, raising his hat most 
gracefully, s;iid, 'The fortune of war. General Gates, has made me your 
prisoner;' to which the conqueror, returning a courtly salute, promptly 
replied, 'I sh;ill always be ready to bear testimony that it h;is not been 
through any fault of your excellency.' Major-General Phillips then ad- 
vanced, and he and General Gales saluted, and shook hands with the 
familiarity of old acquaintances. The Baron Reidesel and other officers 
were introduced in th.eir turn." 

General Gates was remarkable for his humanity to pris- 
oners, and a desire to mitigate the sufferings of the unfor- 
tunate. Among the objects in distress who claimed his 
attention was Lady Ackland, whose husband was wounded 
and captured during the battle of the 7th of October. 
General Gates bestowed on her the care and tenderness of 
a parent. In reply to a letter from General Burgoyne in 
her behalf, he says: "The respect due to her ladyship's 
rank, the tenderness due to her person and sex, were 
sufficient recommendations to entitle her to my protection. 
I am surprised that your excellency should think that I 
could consider the greatest attention to Lady Ackland in 
the light of an obligation."* 

General Gates received the thanks of Congress, and a 
gold medal, as a memorial of their gratitude. Great was 
the credit which he acquired by this momentous event, 
universal joy pervaded the country, and all ranks were 
ready to vie with each other in their homage to the for- 

* For a history of this lady, see pages 1 10 and 359. 



446 APPEINDIX. 

tunate conqueror. It was not long after, that the wonder- 
ful discovery was supposed to be made, that the illustrious 
Washington was incompetent to the task of conducting 
the operations of the American army, and that General 
Gates, if elevated to the important station of commander- 
in-chief, would speedily meliorate the condition of our 
affairs. A discontented party in Congress, with a few 
interested individuals in our army, constituted the faction 
hostile to the saviour of his country. General Gates him- 
self was strongly suspected of more than a passive acqui- 
escence, and there were those who imputed to him a 
principal agency in the affair, which, however, he promptly 
disavowed. Had the project succeeded, it would in all 
probability have sealed the ruin of our army and sacrificed 
the glorious cause of our country. But all the echt which 
General Gates had acquired, and all the sj)lendor of his 
name, were insufficient to proselyte a single officer to his 
interest. He was not endowed with that dignity and with 
those illustrious qualities which were requisite to command 
the confidence and reverence of the army as the successor 
of the much-beloved Washington. I am assured by Gov- 
ernor Brooks that, being in company with a number of 
respectable officers at Valley Forge when the subject was 
canvassed. General Weedon, of Virginia, with great vehe- 
mence declared, that should General Gates be preferred to 
the chief command, he never would serve under him, but 
would absolutely resign his commission and quit the ser- 
vice, and all present were in unison with him in opinion. 
A private correspondence was maintained between the 
intriguing General Conway and General Gates, criticising 
and reprobating the measures pursued by General Wash- 
ington, and in one of Conway's letters he ascribes our 
want of success to a weak general and bad counsellors. 
General Gates, on finding that General Washington had 
been apprised of this correspondence, addressed his excel- 
lency, requesting that he would disclose the name of his 
informant; and, extraordinary as it may appear, in viola- 
tion of the rules of decorum, he addressed the commander- 
in-chief on a subject of extreme delicacy in an open letter, 
transnaitted to the President of Congress. His pretence 
was, that some of the members of that body might aid in 
detecting the person who made the communication. Gen- 



APPENDIX. 447 

eral Washington, however, made no hesitancy in disclosing 
the name and the circumstances which brought the affair 
to light. General Gates then, with inexcusable disingen- 
uousness, attempted to vindicate the conduct of Conway, 
and to deny that his letter contained the reprehensible 
expressions in question, but utterly refused to produce the 
original letter. This subject, however, was so ably and 
candidly discussed by General Washington, as to cover 
his adversary with shame and humiliation, and he was glad 
to discontinue the investigation. It was thought to be 
inexcusable in General Gates that he neglected to com- 
municate to the commander-in-chief an account of so 
important an event as the capture of the British army at 
Saratoga, but left his excellency to obtain information by 
common report. In November, 1777, Congress having 
new-modeled the board of war, appointed General Gates 
the president, and he entered on the duties of the office, 
but retained his rank in the army. The subject of this 
sketch was destined to experience, in a remarkable man- 
ner, the humiliating vicissitudes of fortune. He had the 
conducting of the most prosperous and the most disastrous 
of the military enterprises in the war. In June, 1780, 
General Gates was by Congress vested with the chief com- 
mand of our army in the Southern States. In a general 
battle at Camden,* August 15th, being the first and only 
encounter which he had with Lord Cornwallis, he suffered 
a total defeat, and was obliged to fly from the enemy for 
personal safety; and thus was the prediction of General 
Lee, when Gates was vested with the command, that his 
Northern laurels would be exchanged for Southern ivilloivs^ 
verified. It would, however, be great injustice to attribute 
the misfortune altogether to the commander, under his 
peculiar circumstances; a large proportion of his force 
consisted of raw militia, who were panic-struck, and fled 
at the first fire; their rout was absolute and irretrievable. 
It may be observed, nevertheless, that his conduct in some 

* In the disastrous battle at Camden, the Baron de Kalb, a brave and 
experienced Prussian officer, and major-general in our service, was unfor- 
tunately slain. It was said that this heroic officer cautioned General 
Gates against a general action, under present circumstances. His exit 
was marked with unfading glory, and his distinguished merit was gratefully 
acknowledged by Congress, in erecting a monument to his memory. 



^^g APPENDIX. 

respects on this occasion did not meet the approbation of 
those who must be admitted as competent judges of the 
military operations of that fatal day. Proudly calculating 
on the weight of his name, and too confident in his own 
superiority, he slighted the counsel which he ought to 
have respected; and hurrying impetuously into the field 
of battle, his tide of prosperity ebbed as fast at Camden as 
it had flowed at Saratoga. 

The plot to supplant General Washington is established 
beyond question, and it will be only sufficient to quote 
the following extracts from the letters of the two purest 
patriots and men that have ever lived, to satisfy of its 
truth those who are not familiar with the events of that 
period. Patrick Henry, writing on the subject to General 
Washington, says: 

"While you face the armed enemies of onr liberty in the field, and, by 
the favor of God, have been kept unhurt, I trust your country will never 
harbor in her bosom the miscreant who would ruin her best supporter. 
I wish not to Hatter; but when arts unwortiiy lionest men are used to 
defame and traduce you, I think it not amiss, but a duty, to assure you 
of that estimation in which the public hold you. Not that I think any 
testimony I can bear is necessary for your support or private satisfaction, 
for a bare recollection of what is past must give you sufficient pleasure 
in every circumstance of life. But I cannot help assurhig you, on tiiis 
occasion, of the high sense of gratitude which all ranks of men, in this 
your native county, bear to you. It will give me sincere pleasure to 
manifest my regards, and render my best services to you or yours. I 
do not like to make a parade t>f these things, and I know you are not 
fond of it; however, I hope the occasion will plead my excuse." 

To which General Washington replies: 

"The anonymous letter with which you were pleased to favor me 
was written by ************, so tar as I can judge from a 
similitude of hands. ******* 

"My caution to avoid any thing that could injure the service pre- 
vented me from communicating, except to a very few of my friends, the 
intrigues of a faction which I know was formed against me, since it 
might serve to publish our internal dissensions; but their own restless 
zeal to advance their views has too clearly betrayed them, and made 
concealment on my part fruitless. I cannot precisely mark the extent 
of their views, but it appeared in general that General Gates was to be 
exalted on the ruin of my reputation and influence. This I am author- 
ized to say from undeniable facts in my possession, from publications, 
the evident scope of which could not be mistaken, and from private de- 
tractions industriously circulated. *************, it is 
generally supposed, bore the second part in the cabal; and General 



APPENDIX. 449 

Conway, I know, was a very active and mnlignnnt partizan; but I have 
good reason to believe that their machinations have recoiled most sensi- 
bly on themselves." 

Yet, in the face of the evidence of the fact, General 
Armstrong recently avow.s that "the slander propagated 
and believed for half a century, that two distinguished 
officers of the army of the revolution had conspired to put 
down the commander-in-chief, is an impudent and vile 
falsehood from beginning to end^ 

General Gates was displaced from his command by 
order of Congress, and his conduct subjected to the in- 
quiry of a special court, which resulted in his acquittal, 
but his Saratoga laurels had faded, and he was unable to 
retrieve his suffering fame. 

"It was the general opinion that General Gates was 
not treated by Congress with that delicacy, or indeed 
gratitude, that was due to an officer of his acknowledged 
merit. He, however, received the order of his super- 
sedure and suspension, and resigned the command to 
General Greene with becoming dignity." General Greene 
asserted that if there was any mistake in the conduct of 
Gates, it was in hazarding an action at all against such 
superior force. 

He was reinstated in his military command in the main 
army in 1782, but the great scenes of war were now passed, 
and he could only participate in the painful scene of a 
final separation. 

In the midst of his misfortune General Gates was called 
to mourn the afilictive dispensation of Providence in the 
death of his only son. Major Garden, in his excellent 
publication, has recorded the following affecting anecdote, 
which he received from Dr. William Reed: 

"Having occasion to call on General Gates, relative to the business of 
the department under my immediate charge, I found him traversing the 
apartment which he occupied, under the influence of high excitement; 
his agitation was excessive — every feature of his countenance, every 
gesture betrayed it. Official despatches, informing him that he was 
superseded, and that the command of the Southern army had been trans- 
ferred to General Greene, had just been received and perused by him. 
His countenance, however, betrayed no expression of irritation or re- 
sentment; it was sensibility alone that caused his emotion. An open 
letter, which he held in his hand, was often raised to his lips, and kissed 
with devotion, while the exclamation repeatedly escaped them, 'Great 
man! Noble, generous procedure !' When the tumult of his mind had 



'150 APPENDIX. 

subsided, and his thouffVits found utterance, he, with stron": expvossinn 
of feeling, exclaimed, '1 have received this day a communication from 
the commander-in-chief, which has conveyed more consolation to my 
bosom, more ineffable delight to my heart, than I had believed it po.ssi, 
ble for it ever to have felt again. With affectionate tenderness he sym- 
patliizes with me in my domestic misfortunes, and condoles with me on 
the loss I have sustained by the recent denth of an only son; and then 
with peculiar delicacy, lamenting my misfortune in battle, assures me 
that his confidence in my zeal and capacity is so little impaired, that the 
command of the right wing of the army will be bestowed on me so 
soon as I can make it convenient to join him.'" 

When the revolution was completed, General Gates re- 
tired to his plantation in Virginia, where he continued 
about seven years, when he with his wife took up his final 
residence in the neighborhood of New York, In civil life 
General Gates was a zealous partizan, but he was always 
disappointed in his aniVniious views. In 1800, he was 
elected to the New York legislature to answer the purpose 
of a party, and withdrew again to private life as soon as 
that pur]~)Ose was answered. During the federal adminis- 
tration of the general government, he was found in the 
ranks of the opposite or minor party, which excluded him 
altogether from a share of the honors 'and emoluments 
which it was in the power of his former illustrious military 
leader to bestow. "A few years before his death he gen- 
erously gave freedom to his slaves, making provision for 
the old and infirm, while several testified their attachment 
to him by remaining in his flimily. In the characteristic 
virtue of planters' hospitality, Gates had no competitor, 
and his reputation may well he supposed to put this virtue 
to a hard test." "He had a handsome person, and was 
gentlemanly in his manners, remarkably courteous to all, 
and carrying good-humor sometimes beyond the nice limit 
of dignity. To science, literature or erudition, however, 
he made no pretensions, but gave indisputable marks of a 
social, amiable, benevolent disposition. He died without 
posterity at his abode near New York, on the 10th day 
of April, 1806, aged seventy-eight years." 



APPENDIX. 451 



BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN STARK. 

General Stark was a native of Londonderry, in New 
Hampshire, and was born August 17th, 1728. When at 
the age of twenty-one years, he was, while on a hunting 
excursion, surprised and captured by the Indians, and 
remained four months a prisoner in their hands. He was 
captain of a company of rangers in the provincial service 
during the French war of 1755, and was with the British 
general. Lord Howe, when he was killed in the storming 
the French lines at Ticonderoga, in July, 1758. At the 
close of that war he retired, with the reputation of a brave 
and vigilant officer. When the report of Lexington battle 
reached him, he was engaged at work in his saw-mill. 
Fired with indignation and a martial spirit, he immediately 
seized his musket, and with a band of heroes proceeded 
to Cambridge. The morning after his arrival, he received 
a colonel's commission; and availing himself of his own 
popularity, and the enthusiasm of the day, in two hours 
he enlisted eight hundred men! On the memorable 17th 
of June, at Breed's-hill, Colonel Stark, at the head of his 
back-woodsmen of New Hampshire, poured on the enemy 
that deadly fire, from a sure aim, which effected such re- 
markable destruction in their ranks, and compelled them 
twice to retreat. During the whole of this dreadful con- 
flict. Colonel Stark evinced that consummate bravery and 
intrepid zeal which entitle his name to honor and perpe- 
tual remembrance in the pages of our history. After the 
British evacuated Boston, Colonel Stark joined our north- 
ern army while retreating from Canada, and he had the 
command of a party of troops who were employed in for- 
tifying the post of Mount Independence. We next find 
him at Trenton, in December, 1776, where he shared largely 
in the honors of that ever-memoruble battle under Wash- 
ington, when the Hessians were captured. But Stark 
reached the climax of his fame when, in one of the darkest 
and most desponding periods of the American war, he 
achieved a glorious victory over the enemy at Bennington. 
General Burgoyne, after possessing himself of Ticonderoga 
in July, 1776, and while advancing at the head of his 
victorious army towards Albany, conceived the design of 



452 APPENDIX. 

taking by surprise a quantity of stores whicli our people 
had deposited at Bennington. For this enterprise he des- 
patched a German officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Baum, with 
one thousand five hundred soldiers and one hundred 
Indians, with two field-pieces. Stark was at that time 
brigadier-general of militia, and was in the vicinity with 
about one thousand four hundred brave men from New 
Hampshire, He advanced towards the enemy, and drew 
up his men in a line of battle. Colonel Baum, deeming 
it imprudent to engage with his present force, halted his 
troops, and sent an express to Burgoyne for a reinforce- 
ment, and in the mean time entrenched and rendered him- 
self as defensible as possible. 

General Burgoyne immediately despatched Colonel Brey- 
man, with about one thousand troops, to reinforce Colonel 
Baum ; but a heavy rain and bad roads prevented his arrival 
in season. General Stark, on the 16tli of August, planned 
his mode of attack, and a most severe action ensued, which 
continued about two hours, with an incessant firing of 
musketry and the enemy's field-artillery. Colonel Baum 
defended himself with great bravery till he received a mor- 
tal wound, and his whole party was defeated. It was not 
long after, that Colonel Breyman appeared with his rein- 
forcement, and another battle ensued, which continued 
obstinate on both sides till sunset, when the Germans 
yielded, and the victory on our side was complete, the 
trophies of which were four brass field-pieces and more than 
seven hundred prisoners. For a more particular detail of 
this enterprise, see page 93 of this volume. Congress, on 
the -ith of October following, passed a resolve of thanks 
to General Stark, and the officers and troops under his 
command, for their brave and successful attack and signal 
victory, and that Brigadier Stark be appointed a brigadier- 
general in the army of the United States. General Stark 
volunteered his services under General Gates at Saratoga, 
and assisted in the council which stipulated the surrender 
of General Burgoyne, nor did he relinquish his valuable 
services till he could greet his native country as an Inde- 
pendent Empire. General Stark was of the middle stature, 
not formed by nature to exhibit an erect, soldierly mien. 
His manners were frank and unassuming, but he manifested 
a peculiar sort of eccentricity and negligence, which pre- 



APPENDIX. 453 

eluded all display of personal dignity, and seemed to place 
him among those of ordinary rank in life. But, as a cour- 
ageous and heroic soldier, he is entitled to high rank among 
those who have been crowned with unfading laurels, and 
to whom a large share of glory is justly due. His char- 
acter as a private citizen was unblemished, and he was 
ever held in respect. For the last few years of his life, 
he enjoyed a pecuniary bounty from the government. He 
lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, eight 
months and twenty-four days, and died May 8th, 1822. 



MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN SULLIVAN. 

General Sullivan has a claim to honorable distinc- 
tion among the general officers of the American army. 
Before the revolution, he had attained to eminence in the 
profession of the law in New Hampshire. But indulging 
a laudable ambition for military glory, he relinquished the 
fairest prospects of fortune and fame, and, on the com- 
mencement of hostilities, appeared among the most ardent 
patriots and intrepid warriors. He was a member of the 
first Congress, in 1774; but, preferring a military commis- 
sion, he was in 1775 appointed a brigadier-general of the 
American army, then at Cambridge, and soon obtained the 
command on Winter-hill. The next year he was ordered 
to Canada, and, on the death of General Thomas, the com- 
mand of the army devolved on him. The situation of 
our army in that quarter was inexpressibly distressing, 
destitute of clothing, dispirited by defeat and constant 
fatigue, and a large proportion of the troops sick with the 
small-pox, which was attended by an unprecedented mor- 
tality. By his great exertions and judicious management 
he meliorated the condition of the army, and obtained 
general applause. On his retiring from that command, 
July 12, 1776, the field-officers thus addressed him: "It is 
to you, sir, the public are indebted for the preservation 
of their property in Canada; it is to you we owe our safety 
thus far. Your humanity will call forth the silent tear 
and the grateful ejaculation of the sick. Your universal 
impartiality will force the applause of the wearied soldier." 
In August, 1776, he was promoted to the rank of major- 



454 APPENDIX. 

general, and soon after was, with Major-General Lord Stir- 
ling, captured by the British in the battle on Long Island. 
General Sullivan being paroled, was sent by General Howe 
with a message to Congress; after which, he returned to 
New York. In September he was exchanged for Major- 
General Prescott. We next find him in command of the 
right division of our troops, in the famous battle at Tren- 
ton, and he acquitted himself honorably on that ever- 
memorable day 

In August, 1777, without the authority of Congress 
or the commander-in-chief, he planned and executed an 
expedition against the enemy on Staten Island. Though 
the enterprise was conducted with prudence and success 
in part, it was said by some to be less brilliant than might 
have been expected, under his favorable circumstances; 
and as that act was deemed a bold assumption of respon- 
sibility, and reports to his prejudice being in circulation, a 
court of inquiry was ordered to investigate his conduct. 
The result was an honorable acquittal. Congress resolved 
that the result so honorable to General Sullivan is highly 
pleasing to Congress, and that the opinion of the court be 
published, in justification of that injured officer. In the 
battles at Brandywine and at Germantown, in the autumn 
of 1777, General Sullivan commanded a division, and in 
the latter conflict his two aids were killed, and his own 
conduct was so conspicuously brave, that General Wash- 
ington in his letter to Congress concludes with encomiums 
on the gallantry of General Sullivan, and the whole right 
wing of the army who acted immediately under the eye 
of his excellency. In August, 1778, General Sullivan 
was sole commander of an expedition to the island of New- 
port, in cooperation with the French fleet under the Count 
D'Estaing. The Marquis de la Fayette and General Greene 
volunteered their services on the occasion. The object of 
the expedition was defeated, in consequence of the French 
fleet being driven off by a violent storm. By this unfor- 
tunate event the enemy were encouraged to engage our 
army in battle, in which they suffered a repulse, and Gen- 
eral Sullivan finally effected a safe retreat to the main. This 
retreat, so ably executed, without confusion, the loss of bag- 
gage or stores, increased the military reputation of General 
Sullivan, and redounds to his honor as a skilful commander. 



APPENDIX. 455 

The bloody tragedy acted at "Wyoming, in 1778, had 
determined the commander-in-chief" in 1779, to employ a 
large detachment from the continental army to penetrate 
into the heart of the Indian country, to chastise the hostile 
tribes and their white associates and adherents, for their 
cruel aggressions on the defenceless inhabitants. The 
command of this expedition was committed to Major-Gen- 
eral Sullivan, with express orders to destroy their set- 
tlements, to ruin their crops, and make such thorough 
devastations as to render the country entirely uninhabit- 
able for the present, and thus to cora})el the savages to 
remove to a greater distance from our frontiers. General 
Sullivan had under his command several brisfadiers and 
a well-chosen army, to which were attached a number of 
friendly Indian warriors. With this force he penetrated 
about ninety miles through a horrid, swampy wilderness 
and barren mountainous deserts, to Wyoming, on the 
Susquehannah river, thence by water to Tioga, and pos- 
sessed himself of numerous towns and villages of the 
savages. During this hazardous expedition, General Sul- 
livan and his army encountered the most complicated 
obstacles, requiring the greatest fortitude and persever- 
ance to surmount. He explored an extensive tract of 
country, and strictly executed the severe but necessary 
orders he had received. A considerable number of Indians 
were slain, some were captured, their habitations were 
burned, and their plantations of corn and vegetables laid 
waste in the most effectual manner. "Eighteen villages, 
a number of detached buildings, one hundred and sixty 
thousand bushels of corn, and those fruits and vegetables 
which conduce to the comfort and subsistence of man, 
were utterly destro3^ed. Five weeks were unremittingly 
employed in this work of devastation." On his return 
from the expedition, he and his army received the appro- 
bation of Congress. It is remarked on this expedition by 
the translator of M. Chastelleux's Travels, an Englishman 
then resident in the United States, that the instructions 
given by General Sullivan to his officers, the order of 
march he prescribed to his troops, and the discipline he 
had the abihty to maintain, would have done honor to the 
most experienced ancient or modern generals. At the 
close of the campaign of 1779, General Sullivan, in conse- 



456 APPENDIX. 

quence of impaired health, resigned his commission in the 
army. Congress, in accepting of his resignation, passed a 
resolve, thanking him for his past services. His military 
talents and bold spirit of enterprise, were univei'sally ac- 
knowledged. He was fond of dis})lay, and his personal 
appearance and dignified deportment commanded respect. 
After his resignation, he resumed his professional pursuits 
at the bar, and was much distinguished as a statesman, 
politician, and patiiot. He acquired very considerable 
proficiency in general literature, and an extensive knowl- 
edge of men and the world. He received from Harvard 
University a degree of Master of Arts, and from the 
University of Dartmouth a degree of Doctor of Laws. 
He was one of the convention that formed the state con- 
stitution for New Hampshire, was chosen into the first 
council, and was afterwards elected chief magistrate in that 
state, and held the office for three years. In September, 
1789, he was appointed judge of the District court for the 
District of New Hampshire, and continued in the office 
till his death, in 1795. 



MAJOR-GENERAL TnOMAS CONWAY, 

Knight of the Order of St, L,ouis. 

This gentleman was born in Ireland, and went with his 
parents to France, at the age of six years, and was from 
his youth educated to the profession of arms. He had 
obtained considerable reputation as a military officer and 
as a man of sound understanding and judgment. He ar- 
rived from France with ample recommendations, and Con- 
gress appointed him a brigadier-general in May, 1777. 
He soon became conspicuously inimical to General Wash- 
ington, and sought occasions to traduce his character. In 
this he found support from a faction in Congress, who 
were desirous that the commander-in-chief should be super- 
seded. The Congress not long after elected General Con- 
wav to the office of inspector-general to our army, with 
the rank of major-general, though he had insulted the 
commander-in-chief, and justified himself in doing so. 
This gave umbrage to the brigadiers over whom he was 



APPENDIX. 457 

promoted, and they remonstrated to Congress against the 
proceeding, as implicating their honor and character. 
Conway, now smarting under the imputation of having 
instigated a hostile faction against the illustrious Wash- 
ington, and being extremely unpopular among the officers 
in general, and finding his situation did not accord with 
his feelings and views, resigned his commission, without 
having commenced the duties of inspector. He was be- 
lieved to be an unprincipled intriguer, and after his 
resignation, his calumny and detraction of the commander- 
in-chief, and the army generally, was exercised with unre- 
strained virulence and outrage. 

No man was more zealously engaged in the scheme of 
elevating General Gates to the station of commander-in- 
chief. His vile insinuations and direct assertions in the 
public newspapers and in private conversation, relative to 
the incapacity of Washington to conduct the operations 
of the army, received countenance from several members 
of Congress, who were induced to declare their want of 
confidence in him, and the affair assumed an aspect threat- 
ening the most disastrous consequences. Conway main- 
tained a correspondence with General Gates on the subject, 
and in one of his leiters he thus expresses himself: " Heaven 
has been determined to save your country, or a weak gen- 
eral and bad counsellors would have ruined it." He was 
himself at that time one of the counsellors, against whom 
he so basely inveighs. Envy and malice ever are attend- 
ant on exalted genius and merit. But the delusion was 
of short continuance; the name of Washington proved 
unassailable, and the base intrigue of Conway recoiled 
with bitterness on his own head. General Cadvvallader, of 
Pennsylvania, indignant at the attempt to vilify the char- 
acter of Washington, resolved to avenge himself on the 
aggressor, in personal combat. In Major Garden's Anec- 
dotes of the Revolutionary War, &c., we have the following 
detailed particulars of the duel: 

"The parties having declared themselves ready, the word was given 
to proceed. General Conway immediately raised his pistol, and tired 
with great composure, but without effect. General Cadwallader was 
about to do so, when a sudden gust of wind occurring, he Jiept his pis- 
tol down, and remained tranquil. 'Why do you not fire, General Cad- 
wallader?' exclaimed Conway. 'Because,' replied General Cadwallader, 
'we came not here to trifle. Let the gale pass, and I shall act my part.' 
li 



458 APPENDIX. 

'You shall have a fair chance of performing it well,' rejoined Conway, and 
immediately presented a full front. General Cadwallader tired, and his 
ball entered the mouth of his antagonist; he fell directly forward on his 
face. Colonel Morgan, running to his assistance, found the blood spout- 
ing from behind his neck, and, lifting up the club of his hair, saw the ball 
drop from it. It had passed through his head, greatly to the derange- 
ment of his tongue and teeth, but did not inflict a mortal wound. As 
soon as the blood was sufficiently washed away to allow him to speak, 
General Conway, turning to his opponent, said, good-humoredly, 'You 
fire, general, with much deliberation, and certainly with a great deal of 
effect,' The calls of honor being satisfied, all animosity subsided, and 
they parted, free from all resentment." 

General Conway, conceiving his wound to be mortal, 
and believing death to be near, acted honorably, in ad- 
dressing to General Washington, whom he had perfidi- 
ously slandered, the following letter of apology : 

"Philadelphia, February 23J, 1778. 
"Sir: I find myself just able to hold my pen during a few minutes, 
and take this opportunity of expressing my.sincere grief for having done, 
written, or said any thing disagreeable to your excellency. My career 
will soon be over; therefore justice and truth prompt me to declare my 
last sentiments. You are in my eyes the great and good man. May 
you long enjoy the love, esteem and veneration of these states, whose 
liberties you have asserted, by your virtues! 
"I am, with the greatest respect, 

"Your Excellency's most obedient and humble servant, 

"THS. CONWAY." 



MAJOR-GENERAL CHARLES LEE. 

General Lee was an original genius, and one of the 
most eccentric and extraordinary characters of the age. 
His brilliant talents, military prowess, and extensive intel- 
ligence, would have entitled him to preeminence in the 
days of chivalry. He could dignify with honor an ele- 
vated station, and it was not difficult for him to degrade 
his rank by indulging in a malignant, sordid passion for 
personal satire and invective. From the qualities and 
manners of a gentleman, he could descend to the level of 
a querulous clown. The profession of arms was his de- 
light from infancy, and he was commissioned at the early 
age of eleven years. In the year 1762, he bore a colonel's 
commission, and served under General Burgoyne in Por- 
tugal, where he signalized himself by his martial skill and 




OEJCERAL JOHJV SULLIVAM. P. 458. 




BEJVEDICT AR^rOLD. P. 465. 



APPENDIX. 459 

active enterprises. He afterwards served as an aid-de- 
camp to his Polish majesty, with the rank of major-gen- 
eral. He exhausted every valuable treatise, both ancient 
and modern, on the military art, and his capacious mind 
was stored with knowledge on every subject which he 
could collect from reading, conversation and extensive 
travelling in Europe. He was honored with the acquaint- 
ance of princes and noblemen, yet his manners were rude 
and singular, partly from nature and partly from affecta- 
tion. To his strong powers of intellect, he added literary 
accomplishments, and the knowledge of six languages 
beside his own. As a statesman, he appeared to be influ- 
enced by an innate principle of republicanism; an attach- 
ment to these principles was implanted in the constitution 
of his mind, and he espoused the cause of America as a 
champion of her emancipation from oppression. He perti- 
naciously opposed every oppressive measure of the British 
cabinet towards the American colonies, even while he was 
in their service. On his arrival in this country, he became 
daily more enthusiastic in the cause of liberty, and he 
travelled rapidly through the colonies, animating, both by 
conversation and his eloquent pen, to a determined and 
persevering resistance to British tyranny. Thus he ac- 
quired a large share of popularity, and his presence among 
the people at this crisis was considered as a most fortunate 
and propitious omen. He probably expected to have be- 
come the first in military rank in America, but in 1775, 
he accepted a commission of second major-general from 
our Congress, having previously resigned that which he 
held in the British service, and relinquished his half-pay. 
He accompanied General Washington to join the troops 
assembled near Boston, in July, 1775, and he was consid- 
ered as a real acquisition to our cause. In the spring of 
1776 he was ordered to New York, to take the command 
and to fortify that city for defence. Not long after, he 
was appointed to the command of the southern depart- 
ment, and in his travels through the country, he received 
every testimony of high respect from the people. General 
Sir Henry Clinton and Sir Peter Parker, with a powerful 
fleet and army, attempted the reduction of Charleston 
while he was in command. The fleet anchored within 
half-musket-shot of the fort on Sullivan's island, where 



460 



APPENDIX. 



Colonel Moultrie, one of tlie bravest and most intrepid of 
men, commanded. A tremendous engagement ensued on 
the 28tli of June, 1776, which lasted twelve hours without 
intermission. The whole British force was completely 
repulsed, after suffering an irreparable loss. General Lee 
and Colonel Moultrie received the thanks of Congress for 
their signal bravery and gallantry. Our hero had now 
reached the pinnacle of his military glory, the eclat of his 
name alone appeared to enchant and animate the most 
desponding heart. 

But here we pause to contemplate the humiliating re- 
verse of human events. He returned to the main army 
in October, and in marching at the head of a large detach- 
ment through the Jerseys, having, from a desire of retain- 
ing a separate command, delayed his march several days 
in disobedience of express orders from the commander-in- 
chief, he w^as guilty of most culpable negligence in regard 
to his personal security. He took up his quarters two or 
three miles from the main body, and lay for the night, 
December 13th, 1776, in a careless, exposed situation. 
Information of this being communicated to Colonel Har- 
court, who commanded the British light-horse, he pro- 
ceeded immediately to the house, fired into it, and obliged 
the general to surrender himself a prisoner. They mount- 
ed him on a horse in haste, without his cloak or hat, and 
conveyed him in triumph to New York. A splendid 
triumph indeed it was, for next to Washington he was 
the most highly prized as a captive by the British, who 
considered him as the soul of the American army, and 
at that juncture of our affairs a more grievous loss, Wash- 
ington thought, could not have been sustained. The 
commander-in-chief greatly lamented his capture, as he 
entertained a high opinion of his martial skill, and he was 
apprehensive that the British general would treat him with 
indignity and rigor. Not having any prisoner of his rank, 
his excellency immediately proposed to exchange for him 
five Hessian field-officers, captured at Trenton, which is 
equivalent to the rank of major-general. The British 
commander affected to consider Lee as a deserter from his 
majesty's service, and refused to listen to proposals for an 
exchange, but treated him with all the rigor of a state 
criminal of the first magnitude. This compelled the 



APPENDIX. 461 

American commander, by order of Congress, to retaliate 
on the persons of five Hessian officers, and also on Colonel 
Campbell, who was now committed to a dungeon. After 
the capture of General Burg03'ne and his army, the enemy 
relaxed in their rigorous treatment, and General Lee was 
soon exchanged for Major-General Prescott. It is next to 
be seen in what manner General Lee terminated his career 
in the continental service. In the battle at Monmouth on 
the 28th of June, 1778, he commanded the van of the 
American troops, with orders from the commander-in-chief 
to attack the retreating enemy. Instead of obeying this 
order, he conducted in an unworthy manner, and greatly 
disconcerted the arrangements of the day. His excellency, 
advancing to the field of battle, met him in his disorderly 
retreat, and accosted him with strong expressions of dis- 
approbation. Lee, incapable of brooking even an implied 
indignity, and unable to restrain the warmth of his resent- 
ment, used improper language in return, and some irrita- 
tion was excited on both sides for the moment. Lee on 
the same day addressed two letters to the commander-in- 
chief, couched in disrespectful language, and with an air 
of defiance solicited a trial for his conduct, in consequence 
of which he was immediately put under arrest. A court- 
martial, of which Lord Stirling was president, was ordered 
for his trial on the following charges: 1st, For disobedi- 
ence of orders in not attacking the enemy on the 28th of 
June, agreeably to repeated instructions. 2d, For misbe- 
haviour before the enemy on the same day, by making 
an unnecessary, disorderly and shameful retreat. 3d, For 
disrespect to the commander-in-chief, in two letters, dated 
July 1st and June 28th. The letter dated July 1st was 
so dated my mistake; it was written June 28th. The 
court found him guilty on all the charges, and sentenced 
him to be suspended from any command in the armies of 
the United States of America for the term of twelve 
months. He made a masterly defence, and endeavored 
to prove that any other course than that pursued would 
have given the enemy great advantage, and hazarded the 
destruction of our army. In his adversity General Lee 
was not altogether destitute of advocates as respects the 
affair of Monmouth; they allege that, were it not/ for the 
disrespectful letters to his excellency, Lee would have 



462 APPENDIX. 

been acquitted, and the degree of punishment seems in 
some measure to justify this opinion. If he had been 
proved fully guilty of all the charges, a suspension for 
one year would be inadequate to the magnitude of the 
crime. It appears also that Congress did not without some 
demur sanction the sentence of the court-martial. When 
at length their confirmation of the sentence was promul- 
gated, it was like a mortal wound to the lofty, aspiring 
spirit of General Lee. Pointing to his dog, he exclaimed, 
"Oh, that I was that animal! that I might not call man 
my brother." He became outrageous, and from that mo- 
ment he was more open and virulent in his attack on the 
character of the commander-in-chief, and did not cease in 
his unwearied endeavors, both in his conversation and 
writings, to lessen his reputation in the estimation of the 
army and the public. He was an active abettor of Gen- 
eral Conway in his calumny and abuse of General Wash- 
ington, and they were believed to be in concert in their 
vile attempts to supersede his excellency in the supreme 
command. With the hope of effecting his nefarious pur- 
pose, he published a pamphlet, replete with scurrilous 
imputations unfavorable to the military talents of the 
commander-in-chief; but this with his other malignant 
allegations were consigned to contempt. At length Col- 
onel Laurens, one of General Washington's aids, unable 
longer to suffer this gross abuse of his illustrious friend, 
demanded of Lee that satisfaction which custom has sanc- 
tioned as honorable. A rencounter accordingly ensued, 
and Lee received a wound in his side. Lee, now finding 
himself abandoned by his friends, degraded in the eye of 
the public, and despised by the wise and virtuous, retired 
to his sequestered plantation in Virginia. In this spot, 
secluded from all society, he lived in a sort of hovel, with- 
out glass windows or plastering, or even a decent article 
of house furniture; here he amused himself with books 
and dogs. On January 10th, 1780, Congress resolved that 
Major-General Lee be informed that they have no further 
occasion for his services in the army of the United States. 
In the autumn of 1782, wearied with his forlorn situation 
and broken spirit, he resorted to Philadelphia, and took 
lodgings in an ordinary tavern. He was soon seized with 
a disease of the lungs, and, after a few days' confinement. 



ArPENDix. 463 

he terminated his mortal course, a martyr to chagrin and 
disappointment, October 2d, 1782. The last words which 
he was heard to utter, were, "Stand by me, my brave 
grenadiers!" The citizens of Philadelphia were much 
affected with his unexpected death, and his funeral was 
attended by a large concourse of people, the clergy of dif- 
ferent denominations, the president and members of Con- 
gress, and of the assembly of Pennsylvania, the minister 
of France and his secretary. General Baron de Viomenil, 
the minister of War, and several other officers of distinc- 
tion, both of the French and of the American army. 

General Lee was rather above the middle size, "plain 
in his person, even to ugliness, and careless in his manners, 
even to a degree of rudeness; his nose was so remarkably 
aquiline, that it appeared as a real deformity. His voice 
was rough, his garb ordinary, his deportment morose. He 
was ambitious of fame, without the dignity to support it. 
In private life, he sunk into the vulgarity of the clown." 
His remarkable partiality for dogs was such, that a num- 
ber of these animals constantly followed in his train, and 
the ladies complained that he allowed his canine adherents 
to follow him into the parlor, and not unfrequently a 
favorite one might be seen on a chair next his elbow at table. 

In the year 1776, when our army lay at White Plains, 
Lee resided near the road which General Washington fre- 
quently passed, and he one day with his aids called and 
took dinner ; after they had departed, Lee said to his aids, 
" You must look me out other quarters, or I shall have 
Washington and his puppies calling till they eat me up." 
The next day he ordered his servant to write with chalk on 
the door, " No victuals cooked here to-day." The company, 
seeing the hint on the door, passed with a smile at the 
oddity of the man. "The character of this person," says 
one who knew him well, " is full of absurdities and qual- 
ities of a most extraordinary nature. His understanding 
was great, his memory capacious, and his fancy brilhant. 
He was a correct and elegant classical scholar, and both 
wrote and spoke his native language with perspicuity, force 
and beauty. From these circumstances he was at times 
a most agreeable and instructive companion. His temper 
was naturally sour and severe. He was seldom seen to 
laugh, and scarcely to smile. The history of his life is 



464: APPENDIX. 

little less than the history of disputes, quarrels and duels 
in every part of the world. He was vindictive to his 
enemies. His avarice had no bounds. He never went 
into a public and seldom into a private house where he 
did not discover some marks of ineffable and contemptible 
meanness. He grudged the expense of a nurse in his last 
illness, and died in a small dirty room in the Philadelphia 
tavern, called the Canastoga Wagon^ attended by no one 
but a French servant, and Mr. Oswald the printer, who 
once served as an officer under him. He was both impious 
and profane. In his principles, he was not only an intidel, 
but he was very hostile to every attribute of the Diety. 
His morals were exceedingly debauched. His appetite 
was so whimsical, as to what he ate and drank, that he 
was at all times and in all places a most troublesome and 
disagreeable guest. His judgment in war was generally 
sound. He was extremely useful to the Americans in the 
beginning of the revolution, by inspiring them with mil- 
itary ideas and a contempt for British discipline and valor. 
It is difficult to say whether the active and useful part he 
took in the contest arose from personal resentment against 
the king of Great Britain, or from a regard to the liberties 
of America. It is certain he reprobated the French alli- 
ance and republican forms of government after he retired 
from the American service. He was in the field brave in 
the highest degree, and, with all his faults and oddities, 
was beloved by his officers and soldiers. He was devoid 
of prudence, and used to call it a rascally virtue. Two 
virtues he possessed in an eminent degree, sincerity and 
veracity. He was never known to deceive or desert a 
friend, and he was a stranger to equivocation, even where 
his safety or character was at stake. It was notorious that 
General Lee was a man of unbounded personal ambition; 
and, conscious of his European education, and preeminent 
military talents and prowess, be affijcted a superiority over 
General Washington, and constantly aimed at the supreme 
command, little scrupulous as to the means employed to 
accomplish his own advancement. In reference to his base 
detraction, General Washington, in a letter to a friend, said : 

"What cause is there for such a profusion of venom as he is emitting 
on all occasions? — a simple narration of facts would defeiit all his asser- 
tions, notwithstanding they are made with an effrontery which few men 



APPENDIX. 



465 



do, and, for the honor of human nature, ought to possess." — " If this 
gentleman is envious of my station, and conceives that I stand in his 
way to preferment, lean assure him, in most solemn terms, that the first 
wish of my soul is to return to that peaceful retirement, and domestic 
ease and happiness, whence I came. To this end all my labors have been 
directed, and for this purpose have I been more than four years a perfect 
slave, endeavoring, under as many embarrassing circumstances as ever 
fell to any man's lot to encounter, and as pure motives as any man was 
ever inHuenced by, to promote the cause and service I had embarked in." 
— Garden^ s Anecdotes. 

The following is an extract from General Lee's will: 

"I desire most earnestly that I may not be bu'ried in any church or 
church- yard, or within a mile of any Presbyterian or Anabaptist Meeting 
House, for since I have resided in this country, I have kept so much bad 
company while living, that I do not choose to continue it when dead." 

Thomas Paine once said of Lee, that "he was above all 
monarchs, and below all scum." 



MAJOR-GENERAL BENEDICT ARNOLD. 

This extraordinary man is already recorded in our 
revolutionary history, in the character of a valiant and 
intrepid officer, and in the next page as a sordid and in- 
famous traitor to his country. He was a native of Con- 
necticut, where he was known as a half-bred apothecary, 
a retailer, a skipper, and a jockey. Under pretence of 
bankruptcy, he committed perjury with the view of de- 
frauding his creditors. But his mind was formed for bold 
and desperate enterprise, and he was chosen captain of a 
militia company of volunteers. On hearing of the battle 
at Lexington, he marched with his company, and arrived 
at head-quarters, at Cambridge, about the last of April, 
1775, where he was promoted to a colonel. He immedi- 
ately repaired to the vicinity of Lake Champlain, and 
united with Colonel Allen and his party, who were prepar- 
ing to execute their plan for taking possession of the Britsh 
garrison at Ticonderoga. This enterprise was crowned 
with success, without bloodshed, and an immense quantity 
of valuable ordnance and munitions of war was taken for 
the use of our army. After which, he proceeded down 
the lake to St. John's in a small schooner, and seized by 
surprise an armed sloop of superior force, which he 



46g APPENDIX. 

brought off with several prisoners. In September follow- 
ing, Colonel Arnold was invested with the command of 
eleven hundred men, destined on a very extraordinary 
and arduous expedition — no less than penetrating through 
the unexplored wilderness to Quebec, by the route of 
Kennebec river. Colonel Burr, late vice-president of the 
United States, was with his party. The expedition was 
attended by the most distressing circumstances which can 
be imagined, during which Arnold conducted with unex- 
ampled resolution, and the soldiers exercised the greatest 
fortitude and patience, and accomplished an undertaking 
almost incredible. The men were obliged to drag their 
batteaux over falls, up rapid streams, over carrying places, 
and to march through morasses, thick woods, and over 
mountains for about three hundred and twenty miles. A 
part of the detachment, consisting of about three hundred 
men, under Colonel Enos, returned to Cambridge to avoid 
absolute starvation in the wilderness. Some of those who 
persevered were compelled to feed on dogs, which they 
devoured without sparing legs or skin, and also their cart- 
ridge boxes, leather breeches and shoes. Colonel Arnold 
appears to have defeated his own object by an imprudent 
act. He intrusted to a transient Indian a letter to a friend 
in Quebec; the Indian betrayed his trust, and delivered 
the letter to the British commandant, who immediately 
adopted measures for defence and to oppose their march. 
In December, 1775, Colonel Arnold having reached the 
vicinity of Quebec, was second in command under General 
Montgomery, and led a party in the boldest and most spirit- 
ed manner to the attack of the city of Quebec, by escalade, 
where he received a wound by a musket-ball in his leg, 
and the brave Montgomery was slain. In January, 1776, 
Arnold was promoted to the rank of brigadier, and had * 
the command of the miserable remains of our army, and 
retreated to Crown Point. He took from merchants at 
Montreal goods to a very considerable amount, under cir- 
cumstances which implicated his honor and character. He 
ordered Colonel Ilazen to take charge of the goods; 
but, conceiving that they were taken unjustly from the 
proprietors, he refused to comply. On the retreat of the 
army, part of the goods were pillaged, in consequence of 
which Colonel Hazen was subjected to a trial, but was 



APPENDIX. 467 

honorably acquitted. This affair excited much indignation 
among several respectable officers, who, having received 
abusive treatment from Arnold, demanded of General 
Gates, who now commanded in chief, that he should be 
arrested and brought to trial ; but Gates, viewing him as 
a brave and valuable officer, was determined that he should 
command our fleet on Lake Champlain, and therefore 
waived all complaints exhibited against him. After Arnold 
was invested with the command of our fleet, Sir Guy Carle- 
ton proceeded up Lake Champlain with a superior force, 
and a furious contest ensued. No man could have con- 
ducted with more intrepid bravery than did General Ar- 
nold. By his valorous conduct he acquired the highest 
applause; but being overpowered, he was obliged to retreat 
with the Congress galley, which he commanded, and four 
gondolas, which he ran on shore and blew up in despite 
of every effort of the enemy to prevent it. He even dis- 
played a nice point of honor in keeping his flag flying, 
and not quitting his galley till she was in flames, that the 
enemy should not board and strike the American flag. In 
April, 1777, General Tryon commanded an expedition from 
New York, consisting of about two thousand men, to des- 
troy a deposit of stores at Danbury, in Connecticut. General 
Arnold by a forced march reached the scene of action, 
and with his usual impetuosity engaged the enemy; and, 
when within a few yards, a whole platoon was leveled at 
him, by which his horse was killed. A soldier was ad- 
vancing to thrust his bayonet through him, when with 
great presence of mind he took his pistols from his hol- 
sters, and shot him down. Having mounted another horse, 
that also was shot through his neck. Congress resolved, 
that a horse properly caparisoned be presented to General 
Arnold, as a token of their approbation of his gallant 
conduct, in which he had one horse killed and another 
wounded. In May following, he was created a major- 
general. When, in August, 1777, General St. Leger in- 
vested Fort Stanwix, General Arnold marched, at the head 
of a detachment from Fort Edward, to raise the siege ; but 
the enemy, alarmed at his approach, abandoned the enter- 
prise before his arrival. In September a serious difference 
took place between him and General Gates, who com- 
manded our army at Saratoga. A conscious superiority 



468 APPENDIX. 

on one side, and an arrogant temper on the other, sufficed 
to render the contention almost irreconcilable. The con- 
sequence was, that Arnold in a rage requested to be dis- 
charged from under the command of General Gates, and 
the latter immediately gave him a passport to repair to 
General Washington's head-quarters, though a battle with 
Burgoyne was daily expected. He postponed his, depart- 
ure, however, till the sanguinary conflict atBemis's heights 
commenced, October 7th, when he betrayed great agitation 
and wrath. Rushing into the field of battle, and acting 
the part of a desperado, he exposed himself in the most 
rash and intemperate manner. In the heat of the action, 
when our troops were gaining advantage. General Arnold 
ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Brooks, at the head of his re- 
giment, to force the German lines, which was instantly 
obeyed, and they boldly entered at the sallyport together, 
where Arnold received a wound in his leg, and his horse 
was killed under him. He had so little control of his mind, 
that while brandishing his sword in animating the officers 
and soldiers, he struck Captain Pettingill and Captain 
Brown, and wounded one of them on his head, without 
assigning any cause These ge'ntlemen the next day re- 
quested Colonel Brooks to accompany them to Arnold's 
quarters, to demand an explanation. He disavowed all 
recollection of the fact, and denied that he had struck an 
officer; but when convinced of it, readily offered the re- 
quired apology. It is but justice to confess, that by his 
military phrenzy, or romantic heroism, Arnold contributed 
to the honor and success of the day. General Washing- 
ton had a high sense of his gallantry, and presented him 
a pair of elegant pistols. After the evacuation of Phila- 
delphia by the British army. General Arnold was intrusted 
with the command in that city. Here his display of con- 
nubial gallantry, as in the field his martial spirit, was 
crowned with honor and success. His addresses were 
auspiciously received, and he was honored with the hand 
of the then celebrated Miss Shippen, one of the most ele- 
gant and accomplished ladies in the city, but of a tory 
family. His whole soul now appeared to be engaged in 
the promotion of his own interest and aggrandizement. 
He occupied the house of Governor Penn, the best in the 
city, and this he furnished in a rich and splendid style. 



APPENDIX. 4g9 

His carriage and equipage were equally splendid, and he 
rioted in the luxury and pageantry of a nobleman " Proud 
of the trappings of office, and ambitious of an ostentatious 
display of wealth and greatness, the certain mark of a nar- 
row mind, he had wasted the plunder acquired at Montreal, 
where his conduct had been remarkably reprehensible, and 
had dissipated the rich harvest of peculation he had reaped 
at Philadelphia, where his rapacity had no bounds. He 
deliberately seized every thing he could lay his hands on 
in the city, to which he could affix an idea that it had been 
the property of the disaffected party, and converted it to 
his own use."* 

Unmindful of his military station, he engaged in various 
speculations and in privateering, in both of which he was 
unfortunate. He made exorbitant demands on govern- 
ment, in compensation for public services, and made bitter 
complaints against Congress, pretending that he suffered 
injustice from their hands. The commissioners appointed 
to liquidate his accounts, rejected a large proportion of his 
demands, as being unjust and unfounded, and for which 
he deserved severe reprehension. He was charged by the 
citizens of Philadelphia with gross acts of extortion, and 
of peculating on the public funds; and he was at length 
so notorious for his follies and vices, and so audacious in 
his reproaches against what he termed the ingratitude of 
his country, that the general voice demanded an investi- 
gation of his conduct. The government of Pennsylvania, 
as well as many respectable citizens, exhibited formal 
charges against him, and Congress directed that he should 
be arrested, and tried by a court-martial. He was sen- 
tenced to be reprimanded by the commander-in-chief, 
which being approved by Congress, was carried into ex- 
ecution accordingly. The emoluments of his office, with 
all his embezzlements, proved inadequate to his exigencies, 
and his funds being exhausted, he was unable to meet 
the demands of his creditors. Thus he evinced a mind 
destitute of both moral principle and political integrity. 
Rebuffed and mortified in his vicious pursuits, he became 
soured and disaffected to our government and cause, and 
the most malevolent and rancorous spirit agitated his un- 
principled bosom, restrained by a want of opportunity to 
* History of the American Revolution by Mrs. M. Warren. 



470 APPENDIX. 

iiidulge his revenge. At the opening of the campaign in 
June, 1780, the commander-in-chief offered him the com- 
mand of the left wing of our army, to which his rank 
entitled him; but this he declined, under the pretext that 
the wound which he received at Saratoga, rendered him 
incapable of active service in the field. He solicited the 
station of commander of the garrison at West Point, and 
in this request he was indulged by the commander-in-chief, 
who still had confidence in him as a military officer. He 
was now invested with a situation which furnished him 
with the meditated opportunity of executing his treason- 
able purpose, and avenging himself on his country and 
the glorious cause of freedom. He engaged in a secret 
correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, and actually 
agreed to put him in possession of the important garrison 
at West Point. 

The British general, appreciating the importance of the 
acquisition, immediately closed with him for the stipulated 
sum of ten thousand pounds sterling, and sent Major John 
Andre, his adjutant-general and aid-de-camp, to negotiate 
the arrangement for the surrender of the post, A British 
sloop-of-vvar, called the Vulture, conveyed him up the 
North river within twelve miles of West Point, and in the 
night of the 21st of September, 1780, by direction of Gen- 
eral Arnold, this gentleman was brought on shore, under 
the fictitious name of John Anderson. Arnold received 
him on the beach, and conducted him to the house of 
Joshua Smith, within our lines, and the night was spent 
in ripening the infamous plot for execution. The follow- 
ing night it was attempted to reconduct him on board the 
Vulture; but the boatmen who had been seduced to bring 
him on shore, utterly refused to perform the service, and 
a return to New York by land was the only alternative. 
Arnold furnished him with numerous papers, containing 
all the necessary information respecting the garrison, and 
a passport, naming him John Anderson, on public business, 
with which he proceeded on his journey. 

Having reached Tarrytown, on his route, Andre was 
suddenly arrested by three militia-men, who, finding the 
above-mentioned papers concealed in his boots, immedi- 
ately delivered them into the hands of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Jameson, the commanding officer on our lines. With the 



APPENDIX. 47 X 

view of giving Arnold an opportunity to escape, Andre 
had the address to induce Colonel Jameson to inform him 
by letter that John Anderson was taken on his way to 
New York. On this being received by express, the guilty 
traitor, struck with the pressing danger of his situation, 
instantly informed his wife that he had received some let- 
ters which obliged him to flee his country for ever, and 
desired her to retire and remain in her chamber. He now 
called earnestly for a horse, and mounted the first that 
presented ; and, instead of the usual path, he took a shorter 
route, riding down a very steep and dangerous precipice 
to the landing. This has since been called " Traitor's-hill." 
The barge being in readiness, he sprang -into it, and ordered 
the boatmen to proceed down the river, and he was soon 
on board the Vulture, which Andre two nights before had 
left, and which immediately sailed with her prize for New 
York. Arnold was apprised that General Washington, 
being on his return from a journey to Hartford, intended 
to visit him that day, and he was momentarily expected. 
Accordingly his excellency arrived soon after Arnold had 
absconded; and not finding him at his quarters, he passed 
over the river to West Point, to view the works, and with 
the expectation of finding him at his post; but being dis- 
appointed, he returned to Arnold's quarters, where he still 
found that no one could account for his absence. But in 
a few hours despatches arrived from Colonel Jameson, 
announcing the capture of Major Andre, and this was 
accompanied by his own letter of confession. The mys- 
terious affair was now developed. Arnold's treason and 
elopement admitted at once of explanation. An officer 
was immediately sent to our fort at Verplank's Point, with 
orders to fire at Arnold's barge; but it was too late; she 
had already reached the Vulture. In about an hour and 
a half after Arnold had absconded, Dr. Eustis, who had 
charge of the hospital in the vicinity, was called to the 
assistance of Mrs. Arnold, whose situation was alarming. 
He found her at the head of the stair-case, in great disha- 
bille, her hair disheveled, knowing no one, and frantic 
in the arms of her maid and Arnold's two aids, struggling 
to liberate herself from them. She was carried back to 
her chamber, and fell into convulsions, which lasted sev- 
eral hours. In a lucid interval, she inquired of the doctor 
Kk 



472 



APPENDIX. 



if General "Washington was in the house, expressing a 
wish to see him. Believing that she intended to say some- 
thing which would explain the secret of Arnold's unac- 
countable absence, he hastened below, gave notice of her 
request, and conducted the general to her chamber, who 
remained no longer than to hear her deny that he was 
General Washington, and to witness the return of her dis- 
traction. When Arnold deserted his post, a corporal, by 
name James Lurvey, was the coxswain of his barge. 
After their arrival on board the Vulture, and Arnold had 
held an interview with the officers in the cabin, he came 
on deck, and said to his bargemen, "My lads, I have quit- 
ted the rebel army, and joined the standard of his Britan- 
nic Majesty. If you will join me, I will make sergeants and 
corporals of you all; and for you, James, I will do some- 
thing more," Indignant at the offer, Lurvey promptly 
replied, "No, sir; one coat is enough for me to wear at a 
time!" — a worthy example of fidelity in the corporal, and 
a cutting sarcasm on the guilty traitor. Two only of the 
crew remained, and they were British deserters. The 
brave corporal, with the remainder of the men, returned ; 
not, however, in the barge; Arnold had the meanness to 
retain that for his own use, and gave them a miserable 
boat in exchange. 

After his arrival on board the Vulture, he addressed to 
General Washington the following letter: 

" On hoard the Vulture, September 25th, 1780. 

"Sir: Tlie heart which is conscious of its own rectitude, cannot at- 
tempt to palliate a step which the world may censure as wrong. I have 
ever acted from a principle of love to my country, since the commence- 
ment of the present unhappy contest between Great Britain and the 
colonies; the same principle of love to my country actuates my present 
conduct, however it may appear inconsistent to the world, who very sel- 
dom judge right of any man's actions. 

"I have no favor to ask for myself; I have too often experienced the 
ingratitude of my country to attempt it; but from the known humanity 
of your excellency, I am induced to ask your protection for Mrs. Arnold, 
from every insult and injury that the mistaken vengeance of my country 
may expose her to. It ought to fall only on me: she is as good and as 
innocent as an angel, and is incapable of doing wrong. I beg she may 
be permitted to return to her friends in Philadelphia, or to come to me, 
as she may choose; from your excellency I have no fears on her account, 
but she may surt'er from the mistaken fury of the country. 

"I have to request that the inclosed letter may be delivered to Mrs. 
Arnold, and she permitted to write to me. 



APPENDIX. 473 

"I have also to ask th.nt my clothes and baggage, which are of little 
consequence, may be sent to me. If required, their value shall be paid 
in money. 

" I have the honor to be, with great regard and esteem, 

"Your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant. 

"B. ARNOLD. 
"His Excellency General Washington. 

"N. B. Injustice to the gentlemen of my family. Colonel Varrick, 
and Major Frank, I think myself in honor bound to declare, that they, 
as well as Joshua Smith, Esquire, who I know is suspected, are totally 
ignorant of any transactions of mine that they had reason to believe 
were injurious to the public." 

Mrs. Arnold was permitted to go unmolested to her 
husband at New York, and to take her chariot with her. 
Arnold had the audacity to remonstrate to General Wash- 
ington against the execution of Major Andre, and to at- 
tempt to intimidate him by threats of retaliation, should 
the unfortunate prisoner suffer; but his excellency treated 
both the traitor and his affrontive letters with sovereign 
contempt. He next published an address to the people 
of the United States, in which he pretended to ascribe his 
defection from the American cause to principle, of which 
it is well known that he ever has been destitute. He 
attempts to vindicate his conduct by the ridiculous pretence 
that he was actuated by motives favorable to the interests 
of his country by bringing the war to a speedy termina- 
tion, as though the destiny of America was doomed to be 
at his disposal, and that he was authorized to decide the 
fate of millions. In his artful address he labored to palli- 
ate his own guilt and to influence others to follow his vile 
example. He execrated with peculiar bitterness our alli- 
ance with France, and accused Congress of tyranny and 
usurpation, and a total disregard of the interest and wel- 
fare of the people. Not satisfied with this insidious appeal 
to the people, he addressed by proclamation "the officers 
and soldiers of the continental army, who had the real 
interest of their country at heart, and who were deter- 
mined to be no longer the tools and dupes of Congress or 
of France." As inducement to the American officers and 
soldiers to desert the cause which they had embraced, he 
represented that the corps of cavalry and infantry which 
he was authorized to raise, would be on the same footing 
with the other troops in the British service ; that he would 



474 APPENDIX. 

with pleasure advance those whose valor he had witnessed, 
and tliat the private men who might join him should re- 
ceive a bounty of three guineas each, besides payment at 
their full value for horses, arms, and accoutrements. He 
endeavored to paint in lively colors the deplorable condi- 
tion of our country, and to reprobate our Congress as 
oppressors, and their authority as tyrannical, "You are 
promised liberty," he exclaims, "but is there an individual 
in the enjoyment of it, saving your oppressors? Who 
among you dare speak or write what he thinks against the 
tyranny which has robbed you of your property, imprisons 
your persons, drags you to the field of battle, and is daily 
deluging your country with your blood?" Again, " what 
is America now but a land of widows, orphans, and beg- 
gars? As to you who have been soldiers in the continent- 
al army, can you at this day want evidence that the funds 
of your country are exhausted, or that the managers have 
applied them to their own private uses? In either case, 
you surely can no longer continue in their service with 
honor and advantage. Yet you have hitherto been their 
supporters in that cruelty which, with an equal indifference 
to yours, as well as to the labor and blood of others, is 
devouring a country that from the moment you quit their 
colors will be redeemed from their tyranny." These pro- 
clamations failed of the effect which they were designed 
to produce; and notwithstanding all the hardships, suffer- 
ings and irritations which the Americans were called to 
encounter, "Arnold remains the solitary instance of an 
American ofiicer who abandoned the side first embraced 
in the contest, and turned his sword on his former com- 
panions in arms." "I am mistaken," says Washington in 
a letter to a friend, "if at this time Arnold is undergoing 
the torments of a mental hell. From some traits of his 
character which have lately come to my knowledge, he 
seems to have been so hacknied in crime — so lost to all 
sense of honor and shame — -that while his faculties still 
enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, there will be 
no time for remorse." "This man," says Hamilton, "is 
in every sense despicable. In addition to the scene of 
knavery and prostitution during his command at Phila- 
delphia, which the late seizure of his papers has unfolded, 
the history of his command at West Point is a history of 



APPENDIX. 475 

little as well as of great villanies. He practised every 
dirty act of peculation, and even stooped to connexions 
with the sutlers of the garrison to defraud the public." A 
respectable officer, in a letter to a friend, speaks of Arnold 
in the following language: "It is not possible for human 
nature to receive a greater quantity of guilt than he pos- 
sesses. Perhaps there is not a single obligation, moral or 
divine, but what he has broken through. It is discovered 
now that, in his most early infancy, hell marked him for 
her own, and infused into him a full proportion of her 
own malice. His late apostacy is the summit of his char- 
acter. He began his negotiations with the enemy, to de- 
liver up West Point to them, long before he was invested 
with the command of it, and whilst he was still in Phila- 
delphia; after which, he solicited the command of that 
post from the ostensible cause that the wound in his leg 
incapacitated him for an active command in the field." 
His papers contain the most authentic and incontestable 
proofs of his crime, and that he regarded his important 
employments only as affording him opportunities to pillage 
the public with impunity. The crimes of this unprinci- 
pled conspirator are thus summed up: Treason, avarice, 
hypocrisy, ingratitude, barbarity, falsehood, deception, 
peculation and robbery. He aimed to plunge a dagger 
into the bosom of his country, which had raised him from 
the obscurity in which he was born, to honors which never 
could have been the object even of his hopes. He robbed 
his country at the time of her deepest distress, having 
directed his wife to draw all she could from the commis- 
saries' store, and sell or store it, though at a time when 
the army was destitute of provisions. He robbed the sol- 
diers when they were in want of necessaries, and defrauded 
his own best friends who trusted and had rendered him 
the most essential services. He spoke contemptuously of 
our allies, the French, and his illiberal abuse of every char- 
acter opposed to his fraudulent and wicked transactions 
exceeds all description. For the sake of human nature 
it were to be wished that a veil could for ever be thrown 
over such a vile example of depravity and wickedness. 
An effigy of Arnold, large as life, was constructed by an 
artist at Philadelphia, and seated in a cart, with the figure 
of the devil at his elbow, holding a lantern up to the face 



476 APPENDIX. 

of the traitor to show him to the people, having his name 
and crime in capital letters. The cart was paraded the 
whole evening through the streets of the city, with drums 
and fifes playing the Rogue's March, with other marks of 
infamy, and was attended by a vast concourse of people. 
The effigy was finally hanged, for the want of the original, 
and then committed to the flames. Yet this is the man 
on whom the British have bestowed ten thousand pounds 
sterling as the price of his treason, and appointed to the 
rank of brigadier-general in their service. It could scarce- 
ly be imagined that there was an officer of honor left in 
that army, who would debase himself and his commission 
by serving under or ranking with Benedict Arnold! 

In January, 1781, Arnold was by Sir Henry Clinton 
invested with the command of one thousand seven hun- 
dred men, supported by a naval force, on an expedition 
to Virginia, where he committed extensive ravages on the 
rivers and along the unprotected coast, plundering the 
plantations to the extent of his power. According to 
report, he shipped off a cargo of negroes, which he had 
stolen, to Jamaica, and sold them for his own emolument. 
Having taken an American captain prisoner, he inquired 
of him what the Americans would do with him if he 
should fall into their hands; the officer replied, they would 
cut off the leg that was wounded at Saratoga, and bury it 
with the honors of war, and hang the remainder of his 
body on a gibbet. In September, 1781, Arnold was again 
^vested with a command, and sent on a predatory expedi- 
tion against New London, in Connecticut, his native state. 
After taking possession of the fort, they made a merciless 
slaughter of the men who defended it, and destroyed an 
immense quantity of provisions, stores and shipping; sixty 
dwelling-houses and eighty-four stores were destroyed, and 
about one hundred inhabitants were deprived of their 
habitations, and most of them of their all. This termi- 
nated the career of this monster of wickedness in America. 
At the close of the war, he accompanied the royal army 
to England. "The contempt that followed him through 
life," says a late elegant writer,* "is further illustrated by 
the speech of the present Lord Lauderdale, who, perceiv- 
ing Arnold on the right hand of the king, and near his 
* Alexander Garden, Esquire. — Anecdotes of the Rewliitionary War. 



APPENDIX. 477 

person, as he addressed his parliament, declared, on his 
return to the Commons, thai, however gracious the lan- 
guage he had heard from the throne, his indignation could 
not but be highly excited at beholding, as he had done, 
his majesty supported bj a traitor." "And on another 
occasion, Lord Surrey, since duke of Norfolk, rising to 
speak in the House of Commons, and perceiving Arnold 
in the gallery, sat down with precipitation, exclaiming, 'I 
will not speak while that man' (pointing to him) 'is in 
the house.'" 

He purchased in England a quantity of goods which 
he brought over to New Brunswick; the store and goods 
took fire, and the whole were consumed; but according 
to report they were insured to a much greater amount 
than their real value. After this event, no further laurels 
remained for him to achieve; he recrossed the Atlantic, 
and died in London, June 14th, 1801. 



SKETCH OP THE LIFE OF GENERAL KNOX. 

Among those of our countrymen, who most zealously 
engaged in the cause of liberty, few sustained a rank more 
deservedly conspicuous than General Knox. He was one 
of those heroes, of whom it may be truly said, that he lived 
for his country. 

The ardor of his 3^outh and the vigor of his manhood 
were devoted to acquiring its liberty and establishing its 
prosperity. Born in Boston, July, 1750, his childhood and 
youth were employed in obtaining the best education that 
the justly-celebrated schools of his native town afibrded. 
In very early life he opened a book-store, for the enlarge- 
ment of which he soon formed an extensive correspondence 
in Europe; but little time elapsed before, at the call of 
his country, he relinquished this lucrative and increasing 
business. Indebted to no adventitious aid, his character 
was formed by himself; the native and vigorous principles 
of his own mind made him what he was. Distinguished 
among his associates, from the first dawn of manhood, for 
a decided predilection to martial exercises, he was at the 
age of eighteen selected by the young men of Boston as 
one of the officers of a company of grenadiers — a company 



478 APPENDIX. 

SO distinguished for its martial appearance, and the pre- 
cision of its evolutions, that it received the most flattering 
encomium from a British officer of high distinction. 

This early scene of his militar}^ labors served but as a 
school for that distinguished talent which afterward shone 
with lustre, in the most brilliant campaigns of an eight- 
3'ears' war: through the whole of which, he directed the 
artillery with consummate skill and bravery. 

His heart was deeply engaged in the cause of freedom; 
he felt it to be a righteous cause, and to its accomplishment 
yielded every other consideration. When Britain declared 
hostilities, he hesitated not a moment what course he 
should pursue. No sordid calculation of interest retarded 
his decision. The quiet of domestic life, the fair prospect 
of increasing wealth, and even the endearing claims of 
family and friends, though urged with the most persuasive 
eloquence, had no power to divert the determined purpose 
of his mind. 

In the early stages of British hostility, though not in 
commission, he was not an inactive spectator. At the 
battle of Bunker-hill, as a volunteer, he was constantly 
exposed to danger, in reconnoitering the movements of 
the enemy, and his ardent mind was engaged with others 
in preparing those measures that were ultimately to dis- 
lodge the British troops from their boasted possession of 
the capital of New England, 

Scarcely had we began to feel the aggressions of the 
British arms, before it was perceived that, without artillery, 
of which we were then destitute, the most important objects 
of the war could not be accomplished. No resource pre- 
sented itself, but the desperate expedient of procuring 
it from the Canadian frontier. To attempt this, in the 
agitated state of the country, through a wide extent of 
wilderness, was an enterprise so replete with toil and 
danger, that it was hardly expected any one would be 
found hardy enough to encounter its perils. Knox, how- 
ever, saw the importance of the object; he saw his country 
bleeding at every pore, without the power of repelling her 
invaders; he saw the flourishing capital of the North in 
the possession of an exulting enemy, that we were destitute 
of the means essential to their annoyance, and formed the 
daring and generous resolution of supplying the army with 



APPENDIX. 479 

ordnance, however formidable the obstacles that might 
oppose him. Young, robust and vigorous, supported by 
an undaunted spirit, and a mind ever fruitful in resources, 
he commenced his mighty undertaking, almost unattended, 
in the winter of 1775, relying solely for the execution of 
his object on such aid as lie might procure from the thinly- 
scattered inhabitants of the dreary region through which 
he had to pass. Every obstacle of season, roads, and cli- 
mate were surmounted by determined perseverance; and 
a few weeks, scarcely sufficient for a journey so remote, 
saw him return laden with ordnance and the stores of war 
— drawn in defiance of every obstacle over the frozen lakes 
and mountains of the north. Most acceptable was this 
offering to our defenceless troops, and most welcome to 
the commander-in-chief, who well knew how to appreciate 
a service so important. This expedition stamped the 
character of him who performed it for deeds of enterprise 
and daring. He received the most flattering testimony of 
approbation from the commander-in-chief and from Con- 
gress, and was in consequence of this important service 
appointed to the command of the artillery, of which he 
had thus laid the foundation, in which command he con- 
tinued with increasing reputation through the Revolu- 
tionary War. 

Among the incidents that occurred during the expe- 
dition to Canada, was his accidental meeting with the 
unfortunate Andre, whose subsequent fate was so deeply 
deplored by every man of feeling in both nations. His 
deportment as a soldier and gentleman so iar interested 
General Knox in his favor, that he often afterward 
expressed the most sincere regret that he was called by 
duty to act on the tribunal that pronounced his con- 
demnation. 

During the continuance of the w^ar, the corps of artillery 
was principally employed with the main body of the army, 
and near the person of the commander-in-chief, and was 
relied on as an essential auxiliary in the most important 
battles. 

There was perhaps no period of the war when the 
American cause assumed an aspect so precarious as in 
the autumn of 1777. Philadelphia, then the centre and 
capital of our country — preeminent for its wealth, its 



480 APPENDIX. 

population, and its trade — a place most distinguished for 
the progress of the arts, was destined to fall within the 
grasp of our haughty foe. In the campaign that preceded 
its occupation by the British, General Knox was a con- 
spicuous actor, eager for the contest, yet compelled with 
his brave companions to lament that the equipments of 
our army were unequal to the heroic spirits of its soldiers. 
Trenton and Princeton witnessed his enterprise and valor. 
At that critical period of our affairs, when hope had almost 
yielded to despair, and the great soul of Washington 
trembled for his country's freedom, Knox was one of 
those that strengthened his hand and encouraged his 
heart. At that awful moment, when the tempest raged 
with its greatest fury, he, with Greene and other heroes, 
stood as Pillars of the Temple of Liberty, till the fury of 
the storm was past. 

The letters of General Knox, still extant, written in 
the darkest periods of the revolution, breathe a spirit of 
devotedness to the cause in which he had embarked, and 
a firm reliance on the favor of Divine Providence; from 
a perusal of those letters it is evident that he never yielded 
to despondency, but, in the most critical moments of the 
war, confidently anticipated its triumphant issue. 

In the bloody fields of Germantown and Monmouth, 
without derogating from the merits of others, it may be 
said that during the whole of these hard-fought battles, 
no officer was more distinguished for the discharge of the 
arduous duties of his command. In the front of the battle 
he was seen animating his soldiers, and pointing the 
thunder of their cannon. His skill and bravery were so 
conspicuous on the latter occasion, that he received the 
particular approbation of the commander-in-chief, in gen- 
eral orders issued by him the day succeeding that of the 
battle, in which he says, that "the enemy have done them 
the justice to acknowledge that no artillery could be better 
served than ours." But his great exertions on that occa- 
sion, together with the extreme heat of the day, produced 
the most alarming consequences to his health. To these 
more important scenes, his services were not confined; 
with a zeal devoted to our cause, he was ever at the post 
of danger; and the immortal hero, who stands first on the 
list of heroes and of men, has often expressed his sense of 



APPENDIX. 481 

their services. In every field of battle where Washington 
fought, Knox was by his side. The confidence of the 
commander-in-chief, inspired by early services, was thus 
matured by succeeding events. There can be no higher 
testimony to his merits than that, during a war of so long 
continuance, passed almost constantly in the presence of 
Washington, he uniformly retained his confidence and 
esteem, which at their separation had ripened into friend- 
ship and affection. The parting interview between Gen- 
eral Knox and his illustrious and beloved chief, after the 
evacuation of New York, by the British, and Knox had 
taken possession of it at the head of a detachment of our 
army, was inexpressibly affecting. The hour of their 
separation having arrived, Washington, incapble of utter- 
ance, grasped his hand, and embraced him in silence and 
in tears. His letters, to the last moment of his life, con- 
tain the most flattering expressions of his unabated friend- 
ship. Honorable to himself as had been the career of his 
revolutionary services, new laurels were reserved for him 
at the siege of Yorktown. — To the successful result of this 
memorable siege, the last brilliant act of our revolutionary 
contest, no officer contributed more essentially than the 
commander of the artillery. His animated exertions, his 
military skill, his cool and determined bravery in this tri- 
umphant struggle, received the unanimous approbation of 
his brethren in arms, and he was immediately created major- 
general by Congress, at the recommendation of the com- 
mander-in-chief, with the concurrence of the whole army. 

The capture of Lord Cornwallis closed the contest, and 
with it his military life. Having contributed so essentially 
to the successful termination of the war, he was selected 
as one of the commissioners to adjust the terms of peace, 
which service he performed, in conjunction with his col- 
leagues, much to the satisfaction of his country. He was 
deputed to receive the surrender of the city of New York, 
and soon after appointed to the command of West Point. 
It was here that he was employed in the delicate and 
arduous duty of disbanding the army, and inducing a 
soldiery, disposed to turbulence by their privations and 
sufferings, to retire to domestic life, and resume the peaceful 
character of citizens. 

It is a fact most honorable to his character that, by his 



482 APPENDIX. 

countenance and support, he rendered the most essential 
aid to Washington, in suppressing that spirit of usurpation 
which had been industriously fomented by a few unprin- 
cipled and aspiring men, whose aim was the subjugation 
of the country to a military government. No hope of 
political elevation — no flattering assurances of aggrandize- 
ment — could tempt him to build his greatness on the ruin 
of his country. 

The great objects of the war being accomplished, and 
peace restored to our country. Gen. Knox was early, under 
the confederation, appointed secretary of war by Congress, 
in which office he was confirmed by President Washington, 
after the establishment of the federal government. The 
duties of this office were ultimately increased, by having 
those of the navy attached to them — to the establishment 
of which his counsel and exertions eminentl}' contributed. 
He diffijred in opinion from some other members of the 
cabinet on this most interesting subject. — One of the 
greatest men* whom our country has produced, has uni- 
formly declared that he considered America much indebted 
to his efforts for the creation of a power which has already 
so essentially advanced her respectability and fame. 

Having filled the office of the war department for eleven 
years, he obtained the reluctant consent of President 
Washington to retire, that he might give his attention to 
the claims of a numerous and increasing family. This 
retirement was in concurrence with the wishes of Mrs. 
Knox, who had accompanied him through the trying 
vicissitudes of war, shared with him its toils and perils, 
and who was now desirous of enjoying the less busy scenes 
of domestic life. A portion of the large estates of her 
ancestor. General Waldo, had descended to her, which he 
by subsequent purchase increased till it comprised the 
whole Waldo Patent, an extent of thirty miles square, and 
embracing a considerable part of that section of Maine 
which now constitutes the counties of Lincoln, Hancock, 
and Penobscot. To these estates he retired from all con- 
cern in public life, honored as a soldier and beloved as a 
man, devoting much of his time to their settlement and 
improvement. He was induced repeatedly to take a share 
in the government of the state, both in the house of rep- 
* President Adams. 



APPENDIX. 



483 



resentatives and in the council — in the discharge of whose 
several duties, he employed his wisdom and experience 
with the greatest assiduity. At that time Maine and 
Massachusetts composed one great and powerful state. 
His enlarged and liberal policy, as a legislator, was mani- 
fested on every question on which he acted, and in every 
debate in which he took a part. While at the council 
board of Massachusetts, on all public political questions, 
his opinions had great weight with Governor Strong, at 
that period the worthy chief magistrate of the common- 
wealth. Though independent and firm in his political 
sentiments, like Strong, he was disposed to conciliate those 
who differed from him in opinion, and was wholly free 
from the spirit of intolerance. 

In 1798, when the French insults and injuries towards 
this country called for resistance, he was one of those se- 
lected to command our armies, and to j)rotect our liberty 
and honor from the expected hostilities of the French 
Directory: happily for our country, their services were 
not required. 

Retired from the theatre of active life, he still felt a deep 
interest in the prosperity of his country. To that portion 
of it which he had chosen for his residence, his exertions 
were more immediately directed. His views, like his soul, 
were bold and magnificent; his ardent mind could not 
wait the ordinary course of time and events ; it outstripped 
the progress of natural improvement. Had he possessed 
a cold, calculating mind, he might have left behind him 
the most ample wealth; but he would not have been more 
highly valued by his country, or more beloved by his 
friends. — He died at Montpelier, his seat in Thomaston, 
25th of October, 1806, from sudden internal inflammation, 
at the age of fifty-six, from the full vigor of health. 

The great qualities of General Knox were not merely 
those of the hero and the statesman; with these wei'e 
combined those of the elegant scholar and the accomplislied 
gentleman. There have been those as brave and as learned, 
but rarely a union of such valor with so much urbanity 
— a mind so great, yet so free from ostentation. 

In sketching the life of such a man, it is not the least 
interesting part to recall his private virtues. Long will 
he be remembered as the ornament of every circle in 



484 • APPEIsDIX. 

which he moved — as the amiable and enlightened com- 
panion, the generous friend, the man of feeling and benev- 
olence. His conversation was animated and cheerful, and 
he imparted an interest to every subject that he touched. 
In his gayest moments he never lost sight of dignity; he 
invited confidence, but repelled familiarity. His imagin- 
ation was brilliant, his conceptions lofty; and no man ever 
possessed the power of embodying his thoughts in more 
vigorous language; when ardently engaged, they were 
peculiarly bold and original, and you irresistibly felt in 
his society that his intellect was not of the ordinary class. 
Yet no man was more unassuming — none more delicately 
alive to the feelings of others. He had the peculiar talent 
of rendering all who were with him happy in themselves; 
and no one ever more feelingly enjoyed the happiness of 
those around him. Philanthropy filled his heart; in his 
benevolence there was no reserve — it was as diffusive as 
the globe, and extensive as the family of man. His feel- 
ings were strong and exquisitely tender. In the domestic 
circle they shone with peculiar lustre: here, the husband, 
the father and the friend, beamed in every smile — and if 
at any time a cloud overshadowed his own spirit, he strove 
to prevent its influence from extending to those that were 
dear to him. He was frank, generous, and sincere; and 
in his intercourse with the world, uniformly just. His 
house was the seat of elegant hospitality, and his estimate 
of wealth, was its power of diffusing happiness. To the 
testimony of private friendship, may be added that of less 
partial strangers, who have borne witness both to his public 
and private virtues. Lord Moira, who is now perhaps the 
greatest general that England can boast of, has in a late 
publication spoken in high terms of his military talents. 
Nor should the opinion of the Marquis Chattelleux be 
omitted: "As for General Knox," he says, "to praise him 
for his military talents alone, would be to deprive him of 
half the eulogium he merits; a man of understanding, 
well informed, gay, sincere and honest — it is impossible 
to know without esteeming him, or to see without loving 
him — thus have the English, without intention, added to 
the ornaments of the human species, by awakening talents 
where they least wished or expected." Judge Marshall 
also, in his Life of Washington, thus speaks of him- 



APPENDIX. 485 

"Throughout the contest of the revolution, this officer had 
continued at the head of the American artillery, and, from 
being colonel of a regiment, had been promoted to the 
rank of major-general. In this important station he had 
preserved a high military character, and on the resignation 
of General Lincoln, had been appointed secretary of war. 
To his great services, and to unquestionable integrity, he 
was admitted to unite a sound understanding; and the 
public judgment as well as that of the chief magistrate, 
pronounced him in all respects competent to the station 
he filled. The president was highly gratified in believing 
that his public duty comported with his private inclination, 
in nominating General Knox to the office which had been 
conferred on him under the former government." — As a 
proof of their estimation of his literary attainments, the 
president and trustees of Dartmouth College conferred on 
him the degree of Doctor of Laws. 

Perhaps in no instance of his life was his warmth of 
heart and strength of attachment more fully exemplified 
than at the closing interview of the principal leaders of 
the war, when tbey were about to take a final leave of 
each other, never probably to meet again. It was most 
natural that the recollection of the past scenes should 
awaken the liveliest emotions: the bosom of the soldier 
is the residence of honor and of feeling, and no man cher- 
ished them more fondly than Knox. He proposed to his 
brethern in arms that some course should be adopted to 
keep alive the generous attachment which was the fruit of 
their long intercourse and mutual toils and dangers; the 
proposal accorded with the feelings of the principal officers 
of the army, who united in forming the Cincinnati^ a so- 
ciety whose object was to cement and perpetuate the friend- 
ship of its founders, and transmit the same sentiment to 
their descendants. Pure as are believed to have been 
the motives of those who associated in forming this society, 
there were not wanting some who, from ignorance or illib- 
erality, professed to doubt the purity of its character and 
the correctness of its objects. But it is a fact, derived from 
the highest authority,* that it had, from its commencement, 
the unqualified approbation of the commander-in-chief, 
expressed in the most decided language. Such sanction 
* Governor Brooks. 



486 APPENDIX. 

as that of Washington could not fail to do away every 
suspicion of its unfjiirness, and to establish the rectitude 
of its motives and principles. 

General Knox was a supporter of Christian institutions, 
and contributed much, by his liberality and his example, 
to promote the preaching of the gospel. It always appear- 
ed to afford him the highest pleasure to bear testimony to 
the excellence of Christianity, and he often expressed his 
firm belief that its exalted principles were intended to cor- 
rect the heart and to purify the life; to make man what he 
ought to be in this world, and to prepare him for the more 
elevated enjoyments of the future. He most firmly believed 
in the immortality and the immateriality of the soul. 

From his reflections on religion, committed by him to 
paper, it is evident that his thoughts were often and in- 
tensely employed on the all-important concerns of a future 
state of existence; that he firmly believed in an overruling 
Providence, and that he was created and sustained by its 
power and goodness. He considered the order, harmony 
and beauty of creation, as affording the most convincing 
proof of wisdom and design. He thought the universal 
distribution of blessings among mankind, furnished con- 
clusive evidence of the goodness of the Being from whose 
bounty they flow. But it was a subject on which he rea- 
soned for himself, unfettered by the arrogant dogmas of 
the churchmen, or the metaphysical subtleties of the 
schools. He expressed exalted pleasure in the full con- 
viction that the arm of Almighty Power was extended 
for the protection of the whole family of man, without 
respect to Jew or Gentile. The exclusive pretensions of 
the various sects and denominations in the church, he con- 
sidered the fruits of human invention, and altogether un- 
worthy the wisdom of the Almighty Mind. 

Elevated by the aspirations of his own exalted mind, 
he believed our residence on this globe, which he consi- 
dered but an atom in creation, as only the commencement 
of a progressive state of existence, still rising toward per- 
fection from sphere to sphere, till, hj successive gradations 
of intellectual and moral improvement, we are prepared 
for the presence and enjoyment of the All-perfect Being 
who created us. 



CONTENTS. 



PAOB 

Dbdication, 3 

Introduction, 5 

Causes which led to the War, 7 

Whig and Tory, 9 

Parliament impose a Duty on Tea— a Cargo destroyed in Boston, 10 

British Troops arrive in Boston — Gen. Gage appoiuted governor and commander,. ... 10 

Courts of Justice interrupted by the People, 11 

The Otis Family, 11 

Colonel Nesbit Tars and Feathers a Countryman, 12 

Intelligence received of the Battle at Lexington, 13 

Companies of Minute-men formed, 14 

Lexington Battle described, 14 

Origin of the term Yankee, 15 

Provincial Congress address the People, .''. 16 

Zeal and Military Ardor pervade New England, IG 

Town of Boston invested, 17 

The British practice the Maxim, "Divide and Conquer" — we enjoin, "Unite and be 

Invincible," 17 

Liberty-poles, erected and Tories disciplined, 18 

New England Clergy advocate Whig Principles, 19 

General Gage's Proclamation, declaring the Province of Massachusetts to be in a state 

of Rebellion, 19 

Attempts to Dissuade the Author from engaging in the Army, 20 

The Author repairs to the Provincial Congress — offers himself a Candidate for OflSce,. . 21 

Visits the Forefathers' Rock at Plymouth, 22' 

Battle on Breed's hill — General Warren slain, 22 

Result of the Battle, 27 

The Author passes a Medical Examination — is appointed to the Hospital Department, 28 

General Washington appointed Commander-in-Chief— arrives at Cambridge, 29 

Generals Lee and Gates arrive at Cambridge, 29 

A View of General Washington, 30 

^ Cannonade from our Works and from the Enemy, 30 

Congress issue Paper Money, 31 

(/Riflemen arrive at Camp — their Expert Shooting, , 31 

Dr. Benjamin Church detected in a Ti-eacherous Correspondence with the Enemy,. . . . 31 

General Gage sails for England, 32 

General Howe prohibits the Inhabitants of Boston leaving the town, 32 

Their Distressed Situation, 32 

State of our Military Hospitals, 33 

Captain Manley takes a Valuable Prize, 33 

Destitute Condi tion of the Troops and Inhabitants in Boston, 34 

Connecticut Troops quit Camp, and the Militia arrive, 34 

Americans occupy Lechraere's Point— Cannonade on both sides, 35 

Critical Situation of our Army, 35 

Death of General Montgomery, 35 

Major Knowlton burns several Houses in Charlestown, 36 

LI 



488 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Anecdote of British Officers, ^fi 

British Officers aliirmed while at the Theatre, 37 

The Author joins Colonel W.'s Regiment, 37 

Pieparations for a Battle, 37 

Our Army talie possession of Dorchester Heights, 38 

General Howe sends out a Flag, proposing to evacuate the town of Boston, 40 

Boston evacuated, 41 

Our Troops march into Boston, 41 

View of the Old South Church, 42 

Dr. Elliot preaches a Thanksgiving Sermon, 43 

Funeral Solemnities of the late General Warren, 43 

British Ships driven from Nantasket, 44 

Prizes taken with Colonel Campbell, &c 44 

Deplorable Situation of our Army in Canada, 45 

Death of General Thomas— his Character, 45 

Independence declared by Congress, 45 

Anecdote of Mr. H. and Mr. G 48 

British attack Charleston, South Carolina, 48 

Parliament hire Foreign Troops, 49 

Tlie two Howes appointed Commissioners, 49 

Letter from the Ciunmissioners to General Washington not properly directed — refused, 50 

Colonel Patterson has an Interview with Washington, 50 

Colonel Whitcomb's Regiment march to Ticonderoga, 51 

Bite of a Rattle-snake, 52 

Horrid Plot discovered at New York, 53 

Tieachery of Lieutenant-Colonel Zedwitz, 54 

Battle on Long Island, 54 

Our Retreat from New York, 55 

Lord Howe desires an Interview with some Members of Congress, 56 

Result of the Interview, 57 

Destructive Fire in New York, 57 

General Washington in Danger, 58 

Remarkable Escape of Part of our Army, 58 

Formation of our Army, 59 

Pay and Rations, '. 60 

Ticonderoga described, 61 

American Torpedo, 62 

>^ Naval Action on Lake Champlain, 63 

The Enemy retire into Canada, 65 

The British take possession of Newport, 66 

Forts Washington and Lee taken by the Enemy, 66 

General Lee taken — Gloomy Aspect of Affairs, 66 

Proclamation of Commissioners, 67 

Riot in Camp, 63 

Capture of Hessians at Trenton, 0! 

Ravages of the British in Jersey, 71 

Washington's Victory at Princeton, 71 

The Enemy driven from Jersey, 72 

Washington's Proclamation, 73 

Spy executed, 73 

Rigorous Treatment of General Lee, 73 

Retaliation resorted to, 74 

Cruel Treatment of our Prisoners, 75 

Outrageous Conduct of the Enemy, 77 

Stores at Peekskill destroyed, 78 

Stores at Danbury destroyed, 78 

British Plan for the Campaign, 79 



coNT]■^'Ts. 489 

Pa OK 

Romantic View, 80 

Burgoyne's Bombastic Proclamiilioii, 81 

British Army approaciies Ticonderoga, 8SJ 

Ticonderosfa evacuated, 82 

Retreat ol' General St. Clair, and Battle at Hubbertown and at Fort Anne, 84 

General Prescott talsen at Newport, PC 

General Washington's iVlanifesto, 87 

Fort Stan wix invested, 88 

City of Albany described, 90 

General- Schuyler retreats from Fort Edward to Stillwater, 91 

Brave Conduct of Major Hull, 91 

Burgoyne despatches Colonel Baum on au Expedition to Bennington, 91 

His Curious Instructions, 91 

He is attacked and defeated by General Stark, 92 

Afiecting Anecdote, 94; 

Miijor-General Gates supersedes General Schuyler, and issues a Proclamation, 94 

M Urder of Miss Jenny McCrea, 95 

General Gates complains to General Burgoyne of Cruel Murders — Burgoyne's Reply, 95 

General Gates advances to offer Battle, 96 

Battle of the 19th of September, 97 

General Lincoln detaches Colonel Brown to Fort George, 99 

Nathan Palmer, a Spy, executed, 99 

Expedition of the Enemy up the North river, 100 

Battle of the 7th of October, 101 

British General Frazer slain — General Arnold wounded, 102 

General Lincoln wounded, 103 

Remarkable Escape of part of Gates' Army, 103 

Forts Montgomery and Clinton taken, 104 

F.sopus Burned, 105 

Burgoyne in a Deplorable Situation and General Gates under Embarrassment, 105 

Daniel Taylor, a Spy, taken and executed — He swallows a Silver Bullet, and is made 

to discharge it, 106 

Burgoyne proposes to Capitulate, 106 

Articles of Capitulation agreed on, 107 

Britisli Army surrender, 107 

Burgoyne attempts to evade the Treaty, 108 

Trophies of the Victory, and Observations respecting it, 109 

Misfortunes of Lady Ackland, ; 110 

Meritorious Services of General Schuyler, Ill 

Captured Officers and Ladies arrive at General Schuyler's, 112 

Our Hospital crowded with Wounded Men, 112 

Remarkable Preservation of Captain Gregg, 114 

Indian Mode of Scalping, 115 

Ceremonies at an Indian Treaty, 115 

Battle of Brandywine, 1 17' 

Royal Army enter Philadelphia, 117 

Battle of Germantown, 117 

Battle of Red Bank, 119 

Fort Mifflin evacuated, 120 

Singular Conduct of Rev. Mr. Duche— his Prayer, 121 

Master Trotter's Dancing-school, 122 

American Torpedo, 122 

Celebration of our Alliance with France, 126 

Sufferings of our Army at Valley Forge, 127 

Attempt to supersede General Washington, 129 

Trial and Execution of Culprits, KU 

Catastrophe at Schoharie, 13] 



490 CONTENTS. 

PAOE 

Removal from Albany, l:<- 

Robinson's house occupied as a Hosjiital — desciiption of it and its vicinity, 132 

Sugar-loaf Mountain and Putnam's Rock, ". 133 

Royal Commissioners make Proposals for an adjustment of Difficulties, 134 

Congress address the People, 13j 

Dissatisfaction among our Officers, 136 

Congress grant Half-pay for seven years, 137 

Royal Army evacuate Philadelphia, 13d 

Battle of Monmouth, Ak 1:^9 

Affair of General Lee, 138 

An Unlucky Shot, 14'l 

Royid Commissioners' Improper Conduct, HO 

Shaking Quakers, HI 

Tragical Event and Barbarous Conduct at Wyoming, 142 

A Black-snake, 145 

French Fleet arrive at Rhode Island, and an Expedition there, 14fi 

General Lee tried and condemned, 147 

A Duel, 147 

General Putnam visits the Hospital, 143 

Declaration of British Commissioners, 148 

Congress reply to the Commissioners, 110 

Colonel Baylor's Regiment massacred, lo(( 

General Washington visits the Hospital : his person described 152 

Generals Schuyler and St. Clair tried and acquitted — Character of the latter, 153 

Brigadier-General Muhlenburg gives an Entertainment, 154 

The Author appointed Regimental Surgeon, 154 

A Visit to the Marquis de la Fayette, 155 

Colonel Alden slain, 15fi 

March through the Jei-seys, ISti 

A remarkably large Child, 157 

An Entertainment, 158 

Log Huts, 158 

A Duel, 15'J 

A Celebration, 159 

Dinner at Head-Quarters ; General Washington and Mrs. W 160 

' Public Execution, 161 

Grand Review by the French Minister and Don Mirrilliars, 162 

General Washington on horseback, 162 

Indian Chiefs review our Army, 163 

Review by Baron Steuben ; some Account of the Baron, 1(Q 

A Duel, 105 

The Author invited to join Colonel H. Jackson's Regiment, ICG 

A remarkably large Ox presented to General Washington, 167 

A Journey to Providence, v 167 

Incursion of Governor Tryon into Connecticut, 1C8 

Capture of Stony Point, 108 

Diimer at General Gates' Head-Quarters, KiO 

P'emale Heroism, 16'.t 

Anecdote of Lieut. T. and General Gates, lOi) 

Penobscot Expedition, » ,. 169 

A Forced March to Boston, 171 

Anecdote of a Soldier, 171 

Civilities of the Gentlemen in Boston, 171 

Embark for Penobscot ; Disembark at Kittery ; March to Falnioiilh, 172 

Defeat of our Army and Navy at Penobscot, 1 74 

Some Account of Falmouth and Civilities received there, 174 

Anecdote of J. Otis, Esq V l"-^ 



CONTENTS. 491 

Page 

Stony Point taken, and Officers rewarded for their bravery, ITG 

Paiilus Hook taken by Major Lee, 178 

Return to Providence, 178 

Wr. Murray's Preachment, 178 

Anecdote of General Prescott and of a Negro, 179 

Newport evacuated by the British, 179 

March through Connecticut to Head-Quarters, 180 

Suflferings of our Army by Cold and Famine, 180 

Disadvantage of Short Enlistments, .s 182 

General Lincoln and Count D'Estaing make an Unsuccessful Attack on Savannah,. . 183 

Extraordinary Exploit of Colonel While, 183 

Anecdote at Head-Quarters, 184 

Privations and Sufferings of our Army, 185 

Military Punishments, 186 

RSenlistment of Soldiers, 188 

Expedition to Staten Island, 188 

A Party of Massachusetts Soldiers attempt to return Home, 189 

^Vinter-Quarters ; Sufferings of our Soldiers ; Severe Winter, 190 

Major Boyles and Party surprised, 191 

A Grand Review by the French Minister, 192 

Pompous Funeral at Head-Quarters, 192 

Dissatisfaction in Camp, 193 

Great Depreciation of Continental Money, 194 

Congress grants Half-pay to the Officers for Life, 194 

Committee of Congress visit Camp, 195 

Public Execution, 195 

Difficulties in Camp, 107 

Mutiny of two Regiments, 197 

Skirmish at Connecticut Farms, 198 

Murder of the Lady of tlie Rev. Mr. Caldwell, 199 

General Lincoln surrenders Charleston, 199 

Three Spies executed, 200 

Battle at Springfield, New Jersey, 201 

Description of Passaic Falls, 203 

Remarkably Big-headed Boy at Talawa 203 

French Fleet and Army arrive, 204 

A Dinner at Lord Stirling's, 205 

Corps of Light-Infantry formed nnder the Marquis de la Fayette, 207 

Our Army prepared for Active Service, 207 

A Committee from Congress, 207 

A Sermon by Rev. Mr. E. Hitchcock, 209 

A Famine apprehended; our Army march in quest of Provisions, 209 

Two Fatal Duels, 210 

Defeat of our Southern Army under General Gates ; Baren de Kalb slain, 210 

Funeral of General Poor, 212 

Review of our Army by Indian Chiefs, 213 

General Wasliington journeys to Hartford, 214 

Major-General Greene succeeds to the command, 214 

Treason of General Arnold ; Capture of Major Andre ; West Point described, 215 

Character of Ge.Beral Arnold ; Circumstances o Major Andre's Captui'e, 216 

The Captors of Major Andre rewarded, 219 

Trial and Condemnation of Major Andre, 224 

Letter from Major Andre to General Washington, 225 

Flag from New York respecting Major Andre, 225 

Execution of Major Andre ; his Character, 228 

Tragical Death of Captain Hale, 230 

Trial of Joshua Smith, Esq., Arnold's Confederate, 233 



4-92 CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Incursion of the Enemy on Northern Frontiers, i.'35 

Successful Engagement at the Southward, i!35 

A Foraging Expedition ; the Neutral Ground, 237 

Ladies contribute to the relief of our Army ; Address from an American Lady, 2K) 

Scarcity of Provisions in Camp ; Enterprise of Major Talraage, 242 

Great Dissatisfaction among the Officers, 243 

General Washington recommends to Congress an Half-pay Establishment, 244 

New Arrangement of the Army, 245 

Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line, 246 

Lieutenant-Colonel Hull's Successful Expedition, 250 

Mutiny of the Jersey Line, 25] 

Brilliant Action of General Sumpter, 253 

Battle of the Cowpens, 254 

Devastation on tho Neutral Ground, 255 

A Visit to the British Lines by a Flag, 255 

Confederation ratified, 257 

Inoculation of the Troops with Small-pox, 257 

Virtues of Butternut, 258 

Capture of General Wadsworth, 258 

Character of Dr. Cochran, 259 

Battle of Guilford ; Distress of our Southern Array, 260 

Arnold's Expedition to Virginia, 260 

Success of General Greene's Army in Carolina ; Desertions from tho Enemy, 261 

Colonel Greene and his Parly slain, 262 

Singular Project contemplated, and Important Despatches taken by the Enemy, 263 

Charms of Martial Music, 264 

Our Army advance towards the Enemy, 264 

French Army unite with ours, 265 

Corps of Light-Infantry formed by Colonel Scammel ; the Author joins it, 266 

Disaster of a British Ship ; Expedition to the Enemy's Lines, 267 

Our Army in motion ; Conjecture respecting the Object of the Campaign, 2C8 

The Secret explained; we march for the South — a masterly piece of generalship,.... 270 

Lord Cornwallis the Object of our Expedition, 270 

March through the city of Philadelphia, 271 

French Fleet arrive at the Chesapeake, 274 

Embark at the head of Elk ; Voyage down the Chesapeake, 274 

Put in at the Harbor of Anapolis, 275 

Arnold's Expedition to Connecticut, 276 

Naval Engagement; the British defeated; Voyage down the Chesapeake, 277 

Reach the Harbor of Jamestown, 278 

Arrive at Yorktown, and begin the Siege, 279 

Colonel Scammel wounded and taken, 280 

Anecdote of General Washington and Mr. Evans, 280 

The British obliged to kill their Horses, 280 

Colonel Tarletou wounded in a Skirmish ; Death of Colonel Scammel, ; 281 

A Detachment from the Allied Army open Entrenchments against the Enemy, 281 

Tremondous Cannonade from our Lines, 283 

A Splendid Conflagration of British Vessels, 283 

Second Parallel Line thrown np, 283 

Two Redoubts taken by the Allied Army, 284 

Anecdote of General Washington and Colonel Cobb, 285 

Anecdote of the Marquis de la Fayette and Baron Viomenil (note), 285 

Cornwallis proposes to Capitulate ; Bold Attempt to effect his Escape, 287 

Articles of Capitulation ratified, 287 

Surrender of the British Army, 288 

Singular Circumstance respecting Cornwallis ami Mr. Laurens (note), 283 

Commander-in-Chief expresses his Thanks to the Army, &c 291 



CONTENTS. 493 

PAGE 

Enormities practised by the Enemy in Virginia, 292 

Colonel Turleton's Horse taken from him, 292 

View of Yorklown after the Siege ; Loss on both sides, 2fi2 

Lord Cornwallis and his Enormities, 293 

Ferocious Animosity between the two Parties, 293 

Cruel Death of Colonel Hayne, 297 

Sanguinary Character of Lord Rawdon, 298 

Anecdote of the Marquis de la Fayette and Lord Cornwallis, 300 

Battle at Eutaw Springs, 301 

Anecdote of Lord Cornwallis ; Voyage up the Chesapeake, &c 302 

Exploit of Major Trescott, 303 

Incursion of the Enemy on our Frontiers, 304 

Proceedings of Congress on our Victory, 305 

Abb6 Bandole's Address, 306 

Fatal Duel, 308 

Splendid Celebration of the Birth of the Dauphin, 309 

Mutiny in the Connecticut Line, 310 

Cruel Murder of Captain Huddy, 312 

General Washington resolves on Retaliation : the lot falls on Captain Asgill, 314 

Lady Asgill i-eceives intelligence of the situation of her son, implores the compassion 
of the English king and queen, and solicits the interposition of the king and queen 

of France, 317 

Count de Vergennes addresses General Washington in favor of Asgill, who is finally 

liberated, 317 

Baron Grimm's Erroneous Statement respecting Captain Asgill, 318 

Lady Asgill's two Letters to the Count de Vergennes, 319 

Dr. Jones and Robert Morris, 321 

Review of our Army by Count Rocharabeau, 322 

Lamented Death of Colonel Laurens, 323 

Loss of the Royal George, 324 

Prospect of Peace ; General McDougall, 324 

Reduction of our Army, 325 

A Final Adieu to Military Life, 326 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS. 

Society of Cincinnati,.... 327 

Officers of the Army memorialize Congress, 329 

Proceedings of (hat body, 330 

Anonymous Letters to the Army, 330 

Wise Measures of Washington to counteract the effects of the Anonymous Letters,. . 333 

Author of the Anonymous Letters (note), 333 

Washington's admirable Address to the Officers, 334 

The Officers present their Thanks to his Excellency, with affectionate expressions,... 336 

General Washington addresses Congress in favor of the Army, '. 337 

Congress grant a sum in gross as a Commutation for Half-pay, 338 

The Commander-in-Chief orders a Truce, and congratulates the Army, 339 

Officers still dissatisfied, and address the Commander-in-Chief, 341 

His Reply, 342 

Proclamation of Congress for a cessation of Hostilities, 343 

Mutiny of a Party of Pennsylvania Soldiers, 343 

General Washington issues his Farewell Orders, 345 

Disbandment of the Army, 346 

Congress give their Thanks to the Army ; Painful Parting Scene, 346 

Royal Army evacuate New York, and A merican Troops take possession, 346 

General Washington's Parting Scene, 347 



494 CONTENTS. 

PA«E 

General Washington resigns his Commission ; addresses President of Congi-ess, 343 

Reply of the President of Congress, 34U 

Number of Men lost during the American War, 35i) 

Loss to Great Britain ; Gain to the United States, 350 

Extract of a Circular Letter from General Washington, 350 

Colonel John Crane and many other Boston Mechanics, 351 

Colonel Paul Revere, 354 

Anecdotes of Dr. Thomas and Captain Houdin, 354 



APPENDIX. 

General Burgoyne's Observations respecting the Battles at Saratoga and Death of 

General Frazer, 357 

Affecting Story of Lady Ackland, 359 

Extract from the Baroness Reidesol's Narrative, 301 

Her interesting Account of General Frazer and other Wounded Officers, 363 

Of the Ladies of the Army, 367 

Her Kind Reception by General Schuyler, 370 

Anecdote of General Buigoyne and General Schuyler, 371 

Battle of the Kegs, 372 

Capture and Roraarliable Adventures of General W.idswurth, 374 

Singular' Adventures of Sergeant Champe, 3S0 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Of General Putnam, 400 

« « Heath, 411 

« " Lincoln, 4)4 

" " Steuben, 425 

« " La Fayette, 437 

" " Gates, 443 

« " Stark, 451 

« " Sullivan, 453 

« " Conway, 456 

" " Lee, 458 

« " Arnold, 465 

« " Knox, 477 



THE END. 



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